Car Maintenance Checklist

Keep your car in top condition with our key maintenance tips

At Dowleys we always aim to offer the best possible advice to our customers so they can keep their vehicles in good running order at all times. With more extreme hot summer weather and more unsettled conditions throughout the other seasons, it's more important than ever to ensure that simple maintenance tasks are tackled regularly. This helps motorists ensure their vehicle is fit for the prevailing conditions and also can help avoid the more costly bills which can arise when maintenance is delayed or neglected.

Check your car's fuel level

This may seem like the most basic tip of all, but with the hot weather around the time of publication and the summer holiday season still ahead, it's likely the air conditioning will be turned on to full blast in many cars. This uses more fuel so you may find yourself running short of gas when least expected. In all conditions it's simply good practice to check your fuel level before setting off on a long journey.

Oil check and top-up

Research shows that a potential 33% of motorists take the risk of driving with dangerously low oil levels. This is an issue that can cause serious problems but which can be easily remedied. Regular checks on oil levels to ensure they are between the max and min level markers, with a top-up where necessary, are something that anyone can do in a matter of minutes. Such attention pays off in the long term and reduces the chance of breakdowns. Of course, always check the manufacturer's handbook for the correct type of oil for your car.

Check tyre wear and condition

All motorists should know that tyre tread depth is absolutely critical, from a safety and a legal standpoint. Regular checks to ensure your tyres have at least the minimum 1.6mm of tread can be easily done and tyres replaced when necessary. General condition of tyres should be checked for cuts, lumps or bulges as these can lead to failure - during motorway driving in hot summer weather, such faults can lead to blowouts at speed. Tyre pressures should also be checked and the effect of weather conditions on tyre pressure should be taken into account.

For more detailed information, check our previous post on tyres and tyre pressure, and why they matter so much.

Check Brakes - fluid level and wear

Brake maintenance is one of the most critical areas of car care and so should be high on the list of priorities. Brake fluid level can be easily checked under the bonnet and topped up as per manufacturer advice, and changed at the correct service intervals, though of course professional assistance there is recommended.

Pay attention to the performance of your brakes and look for signs of wear.  Signs of brake wear can be audible too, such as high-pitched squealing or harsh metal-on-metal grinding. Physical warning signs can include a "long" or "spongy" pedal, longer stopping distances, or the car pulling to one side. You can also visually check your brake pad thickness. As brakes are such a vital aspect of car safety, do not leave this to chance or to the next service interval. Seek advice from a reliable service centre at the earliest opportunity.

Wiper blades and screen wash

While the summer sun may well be welcome to many, the reality is that British weather generally comes with a good deal of rain. A wiper blade check, particularly before setting off on long journeys where the effect of smearing, faulty blades may only become apparent when it becomes a problem, will help avoid a number of associated risks. Wiper blades are a consumable part and shold be considered to require replacement at regular intervals. Signs of the need for wiper blade replacement are split or cracked rubber, a rough or ragged edge and streaking and smearing or uneven motion when in use.

Make sure your screen wash is topped up at all times and select a mix that's suitable for the conditions: snow, ice and salty roads in winter and insect mess, dust and pollen in summer. 

Coolant check

Checking and topping up coolant is another car maintenance task that most drivers can comfortably tackle themselves. This is essential maintenance before long journeys so overheating in summer or freezing in winter can be avoided. Where necessary, top up coolant using the product recommended by your car's manufacturer.

See our coolant and antifreeze post for more detailed information.

Electrics and battery

You should regularly check that all your car's lights are working, the bulbs are functioning, the car is starting well and all the other electrical equipment is working correctly.

Perhaps most fundamental to this aspect of car maintentance is the battery, as battery-related faults and failures are one of the most common causes of breakdowns. This is one topic of motor maintenance where checks and battery replacement may well be best handed over to the professionals; similarly with spark plugs which can be replaced reasonably straightforwardly if you have the right tools.

At Dowleys we can carry out diagnostics on battery usage, electrical system peformance, starting and charging to see if your car's electrics are functioning correctly if something is draining the battery. You can book a battery check online with us today, for more peace of mind.

Cleaning

This may sound most obvious of all but keeping your car clean inside and out is important in many ways, from safety and clear visibility to helping the resale value of the vehicle.  Priority should be given to those areas that most impact safety: clean windscreen, lights and number plates to improve visibility, both for you as a driver and for other road users.

10% labour discount on servicing for Forces Personnel at Dowleys

The RAC propose the acronym FORCES, standing for Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics, and Screen wash as a handy reminder for basic maintenance tasks. This is quite apt for us here at Dowleys, as our garage's location is very close to RAF Brize Norton. We are therefore delighted to offer a 10% labour discount to local RAF Personnel and Blue Light Card Holders. Contact us today to book your car servicing online.