Love your Car...

First of all, Happy New Year! The start of a new year is a great time for making changes and how many of us are guilty of neglecting our trusty vehicles throughout the year? We've put together a few basic ways of keeping our 4-wheeled friends in tip top condition, with minimal effort.

Why not set aside 30 minutes a week for these easy yet vital checks for your car?
 

• Check you oil levels; remember to check the dipstick when the car is cold. If the engine has been running this can warp the reading as the oil could still be in the system and not settled in the sump. Also, make sure you are on a level surface.

• Check your water levels; this includes screenwash and anti-freeze - 50/50 is a good ratio.

• Check your Coolant level; this unit is usually found near the radiator. The level will fluctuate with car temperature, so test when the car is cold. Always check your owner’s manual to make sure you have the correct fluid. Never use tap water.

• Check your tyre pressure: under-inflated tyres can not only be dangerous but can affect the smoothness of your ride as well as lead to increased fuel consumption.

• Clean and polish; a nice shiny car not only makes you feel better but is also a must for clear vision, make sure your windows and mirrors are grime-free (preferably with glass cleaner). Don’t use washing up liquid in the screenwash as this can perish the wiper rubber.

• Check the water levels on your battery; many modern vehicles have a sealed unit these days but have a look, if you can take the caps off your battery you will need to keep an eye on the water levels making sure the electrolyte covers the plates of the battery. Don’t forget, you will need distilled water for this! Be careful, batteries contain acid, never smoke while checking the battery.
  
   

These few simple steps can help ensure your car runs better and for longer. Why not use the New Year to introduce your new regime? Happy driving!

Until next time,
 
HMG