When it comes to car maintenance, several helpful tips will ensure your car stays roadworthy and cost-effective for longer. As a parent, knowledge is certainly power, and that power can save you hundreds of pounds annually. Essential car maintenance tips are useful to know, especially when it saves you a lot of money in the long run.
1. Monitor your tires
Tires are a highly important aspect of the car’s health and maintenance, especially as they are the main part of the vehicle that comes into contact with the road itself. Under-inflated car tires will increase fuel consumption and wear them out faster, too. Checking your tire pressure monthly and before any long trips can help you save on tire replacements. Check your tread depth too, using a 20p coin. If the outer rim is visible, then the tire will need replacing to ensure safety and to avoid any fines.
2. Change oil and filters regularly
As part of your car’s maintenance, the oil and filters are a necessity that needs addressing. Regular oil changes help to prevent engine sludge, as well as catastrophic failure. You should regularly check the fluids yourself too when it comes to engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screen wash. It’s essential to keep these fluid levels topped up to prevent overheating and major engine damage.
3. Fix any chips immediately
Damage that’s done to the car can be common, and no one is immune to damage, even for those who are the most conscientious of drivers. Small chips and scratches can happen to anyone, much of it down to luck, so it’s good to get it sorted sooner rather than later. Small windscreen chips, especially, are something to get fixed quickly. They’re also often repairable for a low cost, whereas leaving them can often lead to a full and expensive replacement. When it comes to any repair work needed, it’s good to get the car serviced and seen to by professionals.
4. Clear out the boot
It’s not something that’s often thought about, but when it comes to the boot of your car, you should look to clear it out every so often. Anything that’s in there and not necessary to have in the car can be taken out. Every 50kg of extra weight increases the car’s fuel consumption, so it’s good to get rid of any excess clutter you may have accumulating in your car over time. In family cars, it’s typical to have a lot of clutter that you don’t need in your vehicle, especially within the boot and foot-well spaces. As well as the interior, you should also consider roof racks and boxes being removed, as this can increase drag significantly and make your fuel efficiency worse, too.
5. Use supermarket fuel when fueling up
When filling your fuel tank, try to opt for more supermarket fuel stations than any that you find locally. The supermarket fuel locations will often provide the same British Standards as branded fuel but will often be cheaper. To maximize your savings, avoid expensive motorway service stations. By also using supermarket fuel, you’re likely to accrue points with those supermarkets you’re part of a loyalty scheme for, like Tesco or Morrison’s, for example.
6. Wash your car regularly, inside and out
Keeping your car in peak condition, both inside and out, will reduce the need for future maintenance. Regular hand-washing also prevents rust and keeps your headlights clean. It’s a good way of spotting potential damage like paint scratches before they become quite costly. With that being said, if you don’t have the time to wash it yourself or valet it yourself inside, then get it done professionally. You don’t need to get it done every month, but every so often can be a real help in keeping it in good condition all year round.
7. Learn some basic DIY repairs
Where possible, it’s handy to learn some basic DIY skills and repairs. Simple jobs like replacing air filters, light bulbs and wiper blades can be done at home. It can often save a lot of money on garage labor rates as a result.
Car maintenance is something that every car owner should be aware of. The more of it you can be proactive in doing regularly, the better. Your car is going to live a lot longer with regular car maintenance in place. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to fork out for a new car well before you’re ready to do so.
