How To Keep Your Car Healthy

It can be easy to neglect your car, especially when you’re constantly on the move. Unfortunately, car maintenance is simply essential if you want to get the best out of your vehicle. In order to keep your pride and joy on the road and potentially save yourself some hefty fees in the garage, it is crucial that you keep on top of car maintenance – but what steps can you take to ensure the smooth running and lasting health of your vehicle?  

Check Your Battery Regularly

Your vehicle’s chances of staying roadworthy for longer (and indeed, your own chances of staying safe on the road) are significantly increased if you regularly check and take care of your car battery. The most simple way of maintaining your battery and checking that it’s fully operational is by cleaning it with hot water and petroleum jelly and then testing out the key function. If the engine stutters, splutters or struggles to start immediately when you turn the key, you could have a problem. If your battery is more than 4 years old, it may be worth getting a battery test. Using a car with a faulty battery can be extremely dangerous and lead to unnecessary expense.

Check Your Tyre Pressure Regularly 

Despite the fact that many drivers only check tyre pressure when they’re undergoing an MOT, regularly maintaining appropriate tyre pressure is just as important for car health and physical safety as looking after your battery. You can scan your tyres for any visible nicks or damage, while minimum tread level should be approximately 1.6mm or 3mm in winter conditions. Pressure can be easily checked at home using a pressure gauge.

Replace Clogged Filters 

Both the air and oil filters of most cars are naturally prone to clogging, which means that they can cause one hell of a mess if not properly maintained.  It is crucial that you regularly check the condition of your filters and, if necessary, ensure that you replace them with the highest-quality fixtures to avoid long-term damage and further cost. Always ensure that you factor unexpected costs and maintenance fees into your budget to avoid any nasty surprises down the line.

Regularly Test Your Lights 

To avoid being one of the 36% of drivers who break down on the road in the UK, another top maintenance tip is to regularly check and test your lights. Broken or flickering lights can often be an indication of battery issues or other unwanted surprises, so ensure that these are tested and checked regularly, especially before going on a long drive.