Tasks I Can Perform
If you have never so much as opened the bonnet of a car you will be very wary of what we suggest next. If this is the case you could ask a friend or local garage to guide you through the first time, but once you have performed these simple tasks once you will have the confidence to perform them on a regular basis and therefore maintain your car to a higher standard.
For those who are a little more confident pull out the hand book and follow the procedures we list below.
More importantly you will save yourself a lot of money by doing them yourself rather than having to ask the garage.
Check all fluids once a month, or before long journeys.
Always make sure the car is parked on a level surface
Use the dipstick to check the oil level
Visually check the coolant, windscreen-washer and brake-fluid levels by checking the fluid level against the marker on the side of the reservoir.
Hydraulic power-steering and automatic gearboxes also need checking but not as often.
Check condition and pressure of all tyres.
Visually inspect the condition of the tyres, looking for cuts in the sidewall or glass and stones lodged in the tread.
With a gauge, check the pressure within the tyre when it is cold; do this at least once a month. The required pressure is recorded in the handbook or on a plaque inside the driver’s door. Make sure the pressure is correct for the weight that your car is carrying, for example you on your own, or you, four people and a load of luggage. This is not only important from a safety point of view but also saves on fuel bills.
If you have a tread depth gauge check that you have at least 1.6mm of tread around the whole tyre ( the legal minimum). But remember this is the legal minimum and your tyres should really be replaced before you get to this level.
Avoid wasting money on a failed MoT test
When a car goes in for an M.O.T. if it fails, the work has to be done to rectify the problem and then it has to be submitted for a new test. Most garages will not charge for the second test as they have carried out the work themselves but technically they can do so.
To avoid this check the following items beforehand, even if you can not fix them yourself, identifying them can reduce the bill.
- Check the horn, wipers and washers work properly.
- Check the door mirrors are not broken.
- Make sure the handbrake works.
- Check all the seatbelt buckles and tensioners work.
- Check all exterior lights work correctly e.g.( headlights, indicators, brake lights, etc)
- Make sure the handbrake will hold the car on a hill