Car maintenance list & easy guide to follow

mm Paul Verbiton October 26, 2020
0 people like this post
car maintenance motor oil

This article is written by Autocentres Ltd (Tyres Newport) , one of the leading garages providing tyres, MOT checks, battery replacements and servicing in Newport & the surrounding areas.

Car maintenance is often a subject that causes a lot of headaches and issues. Because of the fact that maintenance is so important in keeping your car in tip top shape and preventing issues in the future – it’s vital that you get a maintenance routine established to protect you from future issues. There’s a lot of reasons as to why you need a maintenance schedule and we will cover these in this article.

This article also provides a handy list that you can take and use at home to start maintaining your car today. From changes that you can make today to changes that you can put into your schedule – there are many changes that will help you get on top of maintaining your car. If you have any tips that didn’t make the list, let us know in the comments below.

Car Maintenance – The List

If you want to use our comprehensive list then please use the list below. This guide goes into further detail on how to make certain checks but you can use this as a quick guide to start your own car maintenance schedule:

External Checks:

  • Check your tyres for external damage such as punctures, embedded objects and flats. You also will need to check the wear of the tyre treads to ensure that your tyres are safe on the road.
  • Pop the bonnet and check the engine. You will need to check the engine for any obvious issues within the engine. You need to also check the engine oil levels with the dipstick via wiping the dipstick which will show you the various oil levels.
  • Check headlights and brakelights when it is dark. This allows you to test the lights in full darkness and ensures that you do not have any unpleasant surprises when it gets dark.

Internal Checks

When your car is in motion you can make a number of checks which mean that it’s probably time to take your car to the garage. Check for the following while your car is driving or the keys are in the ignition:

  • If the steering wheel is pulling to the left or right when you are driving – this could be indicative of tracking issues with the wheels or other issues. This will likely need you to go and see a mechanic to fix this issue.
  • Listen for sounds when your car is driving that just don’t sound right. Rattling and other noises can be indicative of a whole range of issues, from body damage to exhaust pipe issues. A trip to the mechanic is again highly recommended if you find this.
  • If the suspension seems lighter or heavier than usual then you may have issues with your vehicle suspension or it may need remapping. This can again be carried out at the garage.

Carrying Out Tyre Checks

Your tyres are quite frankly the most important part of your car in terms of safety. They are the only things that are keeping you off of the road so checking these are highly important. When carrying out external checks – first carry out a visual inspection of the wheel. If there is obvious wear on the treads of the tyres then they may need to be replaced. If you find nails or other objects embedded in your tyre then you may have a slow puncture. You can also buy cheap tyre pressure monitors that allow you to monitor tyre pressure at home. There are usually air pressure stations that you can use to fill up tyre pressure if you do not have your own tyre inflator at home.

Checks When Your Car is on the Road

You should always be checking your car for issues when you are driving. This doesn’t have to be a conscious effort but you should be listening out to sounds and unusual noises when you are driving on the road. When preparing for a long journey or a journey with multiple passengers – it’s important to carry out the visual checks mentioned above and ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct level.

Any top tips that we missed? Let us know in the comment section below.

Tags:
Category: Blog, Lifestyle
  • 0
  • 224
mm
Paul Verbiton

I enjoy spotting opportunities and doing my best to grab them if I can. I am eager to see the world, I love taking photos and writing, coming up with topics that are pleasant to read, funny, and interesting at the same time.

Leave your comment

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This