It's important to have your car serviced at regular intervals and make necessary checks. Here are a few tips to help make your motoring easier.

 

BASIC MAINTENANCE / EQUIPMENT

Toolkit

Vehicles should come with the basic tools needed to make rudimentary repairs, such as changing wheels. So make sure you know where your jack and wheel braces are and how to use them. Also check where the jacking points are on your vehicle.

Engine oil

To check your oil level, check the dip stick on your engine (see your handbook for exact location). Remove the dipstick, wipe excess oil off the bottom with an old rag. Replace and remove the dipstick again. This time you should see that the oil is between two markings. The dipstick will normally have a MAX and MIN (or H and L) marking between which the engine oil should be. Check the dip stick every couple of weeks or so and make sure you are within the two extremes. Top up if neccesary (consult the handbook to see where to add engine oil). If you find that the engine needs to be topped up with oil at frequent intervals, this may point to engine wear and tear and the need for repair / replacement of parts. Having the engine serviced at the recommended intervals will ensure optimum performance and less engine wear.

Water

Check the water/coolant level on a regular basis. If you need to top up wait for the engine to cool down first. Make sure you have enough antifreeze when coming into winter. Even after the cold months antifreeze can help prevent corrosion.

Wipers

Wipers need to be in top condition to keep your windscreen clean. For motorway driving where there’s a lot of spray from passing vehicles it’s vital that visibility is maintained. In winter, snow, sleet and frost can cause a lot of wear and tear on wipers. If they are starting to smear your windscreen have them replaced.top

Screenwash

Legally you should have a sreenwashing system that works, so it’s important to make sure levels are always topped up. You can buy screenwash from many outlets very cheaply. Most screenwash will have additives mixed in to prevent the water freezing, whereas other concentrated forms require a mix with water prior to use. For long motorway driving it’s essential to check you have enough screenwash.

Windscreen

Tiny stones from new road surfaces can easily cause a chip in a windscreen, which may not be apparent until the journey has finished. If there is a chip on your windscreen it may not pass the MOT if it interferes with driver visibility. You can get minor chips repaired by most windscreen suppliers. If your whole windscreen needs replacing, check your insurance because it may cover the cost of replacement windscreens.

Lights

Light bulbs don’t have a big life span in terms of car parts, so it’s worth checking these, especially the lights that perform an important function like brakes or indicators. If you are in a car park next to a light coloured wall, you can carry out a quick check. Look through your mirror to check reverse, indicator, brakes lights etc being reflected off the wall. Make sure you have a back-up pack of spare bulbs always in your vehicle.

Power steering

Power steering is powered by hydraulics which uses a special fluid to transmit power. Make sure this fluid is always at the correct level by topping up regulary with the recommended type.top

Bodywork

In the summer, heat, dust, and tar can all damage the body work while in winter, salt, snow, frost and grit can all play their part in a gradual corrosion of the bodywork. To protect the bodywork make sure it is cleaned and polished regulary to prevent any corrosion taking hold.

First aid kit

It is always useful to have a first aid kit handy and most cars have them as standard. It is often when you are furthest from home and can’t find a chemist that you realise how much you really do need it, just to treat minor scratches, stings or burns. A good kit is of course invaluable for more serious incidents.

Fire extinguisher

You’ll find compact, inexpensive and very effective extinguishers on the market that will not take up too much space in your vehicle. It is probably rare that you will need one. But when you need one, you’ll need one fast!

Flat or faulty battery

Loose terminals or connections cause lots of problems and a loss of voltage is often due to too many short journeys where the battery hasn’t had time to charge up.

• Use petroleum jelly or grease on terminals to protect from corrosion and make sure they are checked at regular intervals. All connections should be secure.
• If your journeys don’t involve much mileage then make sure you charge your battery about every two weeks.
• If you have a maintenance free battery, then this obviously won’t require a top-up.
• Going for an uninterrupted drive will help charge your battery up, such as on a motorway.
• If you are still having problems and your battery is failing to maintain charge then it is worth having it checked by a professional. They will be able to carry out tests to determine the root of the bad performance and advise on a remedy or replacement. If you are with a breakdown organisation, they might offer this type of service under their general cover. top

Lost keys

If you lose an electronic transponder key:

• Your authorised dealer will be the only likely source of a new key
• For older cars, your options are to contact your main dealer, contact a mobile locksmith specialising in vehicles, or call breakdown recovery if you are covered by them.
• Most vehicle insurance does not cover you for loss of keys. top

Tyres and wheel problems

Kerb damage can affect the sidewalls of your tyres (or wheel rims) and can cause slow leaks to occur. Get the tyre checked if there is signs of damage. If you have alloys that have become corroded this may cause a slow leakage and your tyres may need resealing. If the problem persists then the only remedy is to refurbish or replace the alloys. Make sure you have your tyres at the correct pressure Use your car handbook or look-up the recommended tyre pressure at your local garage, next to the air line. Make sure you have the correct pressure for front and rear tyres. Dunlop provide an online guide so you can check before going off to top up. To convert tyre pressure units from Bar to PSI (Pounds/Square Inch) multiply Bar by this factor: 14.50377. So 2.2 Bar is 2.2 x 14.50377 =31.9 PSI This page has a a a table showing conversions.

While topping up the air pressure check for signs of wear on the tyres. Uneven tread wear may mean your tyres are out of line and need aligning. Check the side wall for any damage that can cause slow punctures. Make sure you are within the legal limits. It may sound obvious, but less tread equals less grip which can be dangerous, especially in wet conditions. So it is worth replacing tyres before they reach the minimum legal tread. Remember to check the spare tyre at the same time.top

Alternator faults

If you have a decent battery in your car and the engine is turning over OK but your lights are starting to dim, then you probably have a faulty alternator. Check the alternator belt to see if it is loose or worn. If it also drives a fan to maintain the water cooling temprature, then make sure this is not affected and that the coolant is not becoming overheated. Another common problem is the bushes becoming worn which will affect performance, check with your local dealer to see if these can be replaced.

Starter motor

Starter motors draw a lot of power initially from the battery. If on ignition, the motor is turning but the engine is not firing up, it is likely to be an electrical fault.

Diesel starting problems

If your diesel engine is turning over but not starting then you probably need a new set of glow plugs. As a temporary measure place something warm on top of the engine block - like a cloth or towel soaked in very hot water and wrung out - and wait for a few moments. This should provide enough heat for the engine to start. Remember to remove the cloth before driving off.top

Distributor cap

Beware of problems if the cap has moisture or dirt in it. Check the cap for any cracks as this can cause voltage to leak away, replace for best effeciency.

Fuel problems

Always fill up at the start of your journey, relying on a petrol station being on your way is not always a wise option. Also if travelling late at night, remember most petrol stations close about 11pm and earlier especially in rural areas. Be careful over major bank holidays such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day and over New Year when a lot of garages will be closed. If you are stuck, then you should be able to find a superstore, such as Asda, with a petrol station that has 24hour unmanned pumps that can be operated by debit or credit card. If you’re switching between driving two types of vehicle and using different fuel types try not to use the wrong type of fuel. In most cases this involves the vehicle being taken to a garage to have its tank drained. Avoid waiting until your tank has reached the minimum amount of fuel before filling up. When the tank is almost empty there is always a chance of debris being drawn from the base of the fuel tank into your engine. This can lead to erratic vehicle performance, or your engine cutting out completely, especially if debris has been drawn into your fuel line.top

Clutch cables

Due to high useage these become worn and eventually break. Make sure they are checked at regular intervals.

Spark plugs

Check plugs regulary to make sure they haven’t become contaminated or corroded. Replace at recommended intervals.

HT Leads

High-Tension (HT) leads are susceptible to corrosion and damage, make sure they are checked regulary and have them replaced if neccesary.top

WHAT TO DO IF

You breakdown on a motorway

Motorways have high volumes of traffic travelling at great speeds. So if you use the hard shoulder, you need to exercise a great deal of caution. The hard shoulder is for emergency use only and should only be used if you have no alternative. The following are not emergency situations and you do not need to use a hard shoulder for them.

• Going to the toilet
• Using a mobile phone
• Checking a route or map

If you have to use the hard shoulder because of a breakdown, you will need to take special care to remain safe from high speed traffic which is literally a few feet away. Here’s what you should do:

• On the hard shoulder move as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned left. Leave sidelights on and put your emergency hazard lights on.
• It’s best if you can stop near to an emergency telephone and use it to make a call, this will make it easier for the emergency services to pinpoint where you are. There should be markers near the grass verge that point you in the direction of the nearest phone, and on each phone will be a reference number you can quote. If you decide to use a mobile phone, use these markers to describe your location. Give full details to the police; also inform them if you are a vulnerable motorist such as a woman travelling alone.
• Make sure you and your passengers exit the vehicle by the left hand doors. Exiting on the right is too close to high speed traffic and can be a distraction. Animals are best left in the vehicle, only in emergency situations should they be taken out. If they are taken out, make sure they are under control. If you have reflective jackets, wear them.
• Make sure you and your passengers are away from the carriageway, preferably on the grass verge next to the hard shoulder. In this type of situation it’s important to keep your passengers under control and make sure they remain in one spot.
• There is no need to use a reflective triangle on the hard shoulder
• Leave roadside repairs to breakdown organisations
• If you feel at danger from another person, enter your car from the left hand side and lock all doors.
• If your vehicle has been repaired, prepare to rejoin the motorway by building up speed on the hard shoulder and waiting for a gap in the traffic. Beware that there may be obstructions on the hard shoulder ahead of you. top

If you cannot get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder

• Do not attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway.
• Turn on your hazard lights.
• Make sure the carriageway is clear before leaving your vehicle.
• If you have a disability which prevents you from leaving your vehicle, then stay where you are and turn on your hazard lights. If you have a mobile, phone the emergency services and describe your exact location.

You breakdown on other roads

Try to get your vehicle off the road and warn other traffic by using your hazard lights.

• If you have a reflective jacket, put it on.
• If you think your vehicle might be in danger of being struck by another vehicle, make sure you and your passengers leave the vehicle and stay clear of traffic.
• If you can, put a warning triangle out behind your vehicle, but only if you can do so safely. Make sure the triangle (or other warning device) is 50 yards behind you. Keep your sidelights on if it is dark, making sure you do not stand in a place that blocks other road users from seeing them.
• Don’t stand between your vehicle and on-coming traffic. top

USING JUMP LEADS

Jump starting your car is a relatively safe procedure if you follow these precautions. Avoid placing metal objects on or near the top of the battery, these can cause a massive spark. If your battery looks damaged, worn or leaking, avoid jump starting it. A battery gives off flammable gases so avoid smoking anywhere near it.

Make sure you are not wearing any loose clothing, with anything like a scarf or necktie. Engines have lots of moving parts and it is very easy for loose items to become caught up in rotating parts or fast moving pulleys causing serious injury.

Make sure your jump leads are in good condition. If damaged they can cause overheating. Before using or connecting jump leads, make sure the vehicles are the same voltage. The vehicles need to be parked with their handbrakes on and ignition switched off. The vehicles must not touch as this can cause sparks. Basically you need to connect the red jump lead from positive (good battery) to positive (flat battery). Then connect the black jump lead from negative (good battery) to the other vehicle’s chassis / engine so that that you make a good earth connection. When choosing an earthing point make sure it is away from the battery and fuel system. Do not start engines yet, wait a few minutes for voltages to stabilise. Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery and allow it to run for a couple of minutes, then with it still running start the vehicle with the flat battery. Let both vehicles run at a fast idle for ten minutes. Don’t remove jump leads while the engines are running, otherwise you could damage both vehicles’ electrical devices. If the jump leads are getting hot, turn off both engines. After 10 minutes, turn off the engines of both vehicles. Disconnect jump leads in the reverse order to how they were connected being careful that you don’t touch the bodywork with the jump lead clips.

Disclaimer: All the tips provided above are for guidance only. If you intend to carry out any repairs on your car make sure you seek professional advice first. Any procedures you carry out on your car are entirely at your own risk.

top