Cleaning the house and taking care of property repairs is
something most of us do without a second thought. However, the story is quite
different when it comes to cleaning, maintaining and fixing our vehicles!
Despite the fact that many people use their cars for everything from commuting
to road tripping, 2020 research shows that 44% of UK drivers find
their vehicle ‘confusing’
and don’t know basic car maintenance. What’s more, a 2018 study found
that UK motorists wait on average 10 weeks
before addressing vehicle problems,
such as by booking in for car servicing or repairs.
If this sounds familiar, we’re here to help! Below, we’ve
listed the most important cleaning and maintenance tasks to be aware of when it
comes to taking care of your car.
Drive carefully and
at the speed limit
We can’t underestimate the importance of driving carefully.
Not only is this imperative for the safety of you, your passengers, fellow
drivers and pedestrians, but also the longevity of your vehicle! Driving at the
speed limit, braking gently, using the gears correctly and switching off the
engine when idle will all help to minimise wear and tear and keep your car
running smoothly.
Driving carefully will protect both the car’s internal
components and its body. Bodywork repairs from bumps and scrapes could also set
you back financially, especially if they affect your car’s performance.
Clean your car every couple of months
Cleaning your car regularly isn’t just about showing off your
vehicle to its fullest! Cleaning can also help to keep your vehicle running
efficiently and protect it against damage, so it should be an important part of
your maintenance routine. This doesn’t mean you need to fork out for expensive
car cleans; taking care of the task yourself is quick, easy and free!
When cleaning your car, don’t forget to tackle the inside and
outside. Dusting, polishing and wiping the inside surfaces can prevent rust
from developing, keep your seats and carpets in good condition, and stop the
interior from becoming discoloured.
When it comes to cleaning the exterior of your vehicle, pay particular
attention to your windscreen, tyres and any grooves that might collect grit.
Rinsing and buffing your car’s body will help to prevent rust, keep your
paintwork looking great, and stop debris from wedging into moving parts.
Pay attention to your car’s warning lights
Paying attention to any warning lights that flash up on the
dashboard is essential to keeping your vehicle in great condition! Many drivers
tend to ignore these warning signs and hope they go away, but the problem will
only get worse if left unattended.
You should also make sure you know exactly what each warning
light means. You’ll be able to find out this information by reading your
vehicle manufacturer’s handbook, so spend a few minutes becoming familiar with
these lights next time you get in the car.
Store your car in a garage
If you have a garage, consider using it to protect your
vehicle against the elements. We think of our cars as sturdy and built to
weather anything the elements can throw at them, but there’s no harm in adding
an extra barrier between them and the great outdoors.
Keeping your vehicle out of the sun, rain and wind will help
to prevent corrosion, keep dust and grit out of its moving components, and
offer extra protection against vandalism.
Top up your petrol
or diesel regularly
We all know someone who only heads to the petrol station with
just a few miles to go before their fuel tank empties completely. However, did
you know that running your tank too low can damage your fuel pump? This is
because it will start to collect any contaminants that have settled at the base
of the tank.
It’s also risky to drive with a low tank, as you increase
your chances of breaking down on the go. To avoid this, make sure to top up on
fuel (whether your vehicle requires petrol or diesel) before your petrol gauge
veers towards the empty tank signal. Never let your petrol tank run empty.
On this note - you must also make sure to top up your vehicle
with the correct fuel! Filling a petrol car with diesel or vice versa will have
severe consequences on the health of your vehicle, and you’ll need to fork out
for repair services before it’s possible to drive again.
Inspect your tyres
every few weeks
Looking after your car tyres is crucial to the safety of you
and other drivers. Damaged tyres can seriously threaten the roadworthiness of
your vehicle, so you must have them inspected by professional mechanics as part
of your six-monthly routine car servicing. However, some tyre maintenance
checks you’ll be able to take care of yourself.
This includes checking your tyre pressure with a gauge to
prevent driving with poorly-inflated tyres. To make sure your tyres are topped
up to the correct limits for your particular vehicle make and model, it’s
important to check your manufacturer’s handbook.
Additionally, you must also inspect your tyres regularly to
check their tread depth. It is illegal to drive with tyres with tread that
falls below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, so make sure to examine this every
couple of weeks for your peace of mind.
Top up fluids and liquids regularly
Many people forget about the importance of checking and
replacing vehicle fluids, but neglecting this crucial maintenance task can have
severe consequences. For instance, if you don’t check your engine oil
regularly, you could keep driving with contaminated oil. Additionally, if you
don’t top up your screenwash often, you might run into problems when it comes
to cleaning your windscreen!
To tick this task off your checklist, make sure to inspect
your engine oil, screenwash and coolant every couple of weeks. The more often
you drive your car, the more often you should inspect and top up your fluids!
Replace your car
filters
As dust and debris accumulate in your car, your vehicle’s
filters (including oil filters and air filters) become prone to clogging. Over
time, this can stop them from working efficiently and even cause foul odours to
linger. Luckily, cleaning or replacing them is a quick and easy task to tick
off your maintenance checklist!
If this isn’t something you want to tackle, book your vehicle
in for routine car servicing. This is just one of the many tasks your chosen
car mechanics can take care of, so you don’t have to.
Book in for a full car service
If you’re still feeling a little concerned or confused about
keeping your car in the best possible condition, we highly recommend booking
your vehicle in for a full car service at least once every six months. This should
be in addition to - not instead of - your annual MOT, which is a legal
requirement. In fact, regular vehicle servicing
can even increase the chances of
passing your next MOT, as mechanics will be able to identify and potentially
resolve the issues standing between your pass and fail.
When you have your car serviced by Acorn Tyres and Servicing,
we’ll inspect everything from your warning lights and seat belts to your brakes
and tyres. We’ll assess the overall condition of your car, in addition to
replacing your engine oil, filters and windscreen washer fluid on your behalf!
Booking your car in for a full car service is one of the most
effective steps you can take to extend its lifespan and keep it on the road. As
a result, car servicing can help you save money, mitigate vehicle-related
stress and prevent long-term car repairs that could see you without your
primary mode of transport.
Acorn Tyres and
Servicing: Professional car service garage offering cost-effective car
servicing in Aylesbury
Are you looking for experienced mechanics offering car repair
near you? Make Acorn Tyres and Servicing your first port of call!
If you’re based in the Aylesbury area, you needn’t look
further than our friendly and professional team of vehicle experts. Whether
it’s time to book in for an MOT and service or you need tyre replacement
solutions, we are on hand to help. We’ll get you back behind the wheel as
quickly as possible while making sure your vehicle is in great condition and
safe to drive.
To learn more about our range of vehicle maintenance and
repair services, please don’t hesitate to contact
us today. We look forward to working
with you!
