Owning a car can be a trying experience. Indispensable as they are for regular and unfettered travel, there are many things that can go wrong with a vehicle – and a lot to keep tabs on as a result. New drivers especially can feel over-faced by the maintenance required of cars. But with a little research and understanding, keeping your car healthy can be a breeze. So, what do you need to check regularly to keep your car on the road?
Legality
Important as keeping an eye on the mechanical stuff is, regular checks on the administrative side of owning a car can save your skin just as much. There are a number of legal requirements to owning and running a car, all of which you need to ensure are met by you and your vehicle:
- Ownership of a valid driver’s license for your category of vehicle
- Registration of the vehicle with the DVLA
- Payment of correct road tax for your vehicle, based on its emissions
- Proof of a passed MOT service within the last 12 months (if the car is at least three years old)
- Coverage of your vehicle by a suitable car insurance policy
Tyres
One of the more common points of failure for vehicles is its set of tyres. Tyre pressure is an important aspect of safe driving, with low pressure resulting in sluggish steering, decreased fuel economy and increased chance of blow-out. Regular tyre pressure checks ensure you’re driving at the right pressure at all times and can be especially helpful to do in colder weather when atmospheric pressure drops.
Tyres also wear down over time, becoming less grippy and increasing the likelihood of puncture or blow-out. There is also a legal requirement for tyre tread depth, where your tyres are illegal to drive on if their treads dip below 1.2mm in depth. If your tyres are getting close to the legal minimum, they will need replacing; Michelin tyres are an industry standard for longer lasting tyres, and a popular choice for after-market replacements as a result.
Oil and Fluids
Engine oil is vital for the health of your engine, ensuring everything is well-lubricated and moving as it should. Over time, engine oil picks up dirt and engine debris, becoming less effective at lubricating and increasing the chance of an issue arising. Regular oil top-ups and oil replacements once every 5,000 miles or so should keep your engine keen for a while.
Generally speaking, you should be keeping tabs on everything fluid in your car: specifically, engine oil, brake fluid, and coolant. Brake fluid you can check much less often and even leave to a service technician as part of a regular check-up, but engine coolant can deplete quickly and cause your engine to overheat if not regularly topped off.
Battery
Lastly, make sure to check your battery on a semi-regular basis. A dead battery isn’t all that likely to cause long-term damage to your car, but it could well leave you stranded somewhere if it dies between the legs of a long journey! A simple voltage test will do the trick – if a cold (as in, unused for at least an hour) battery reads less than 12.6 volts, it’s time to get a new one!
