How to look after your car

There are lots of steps you can take to keep your car in tip-top condition, saving you money on repairs in the long-term.

Key points:

• If your car is new, take it easy for the first 1,000 miles

• Always park in the shade or buy a windshield to keep your car cool

• Alternate your tyres after 6,000 miles to ensure they wear evenly

• Make sure any chips in the windscreen are repaired straightaway

• Service your car regularly, so you become aware of any problems early on

Don’t go fast too soon

If your car is new it can be tempting to test out the acceleration, breaking distance and performance, but this isn’t good for your car as you need to break it in. Try not to drive over 50mph (80 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles, and avoid intense acceleration and heavy loads which could put pressure on the car.

Use the right fuel 

This sounds obvious, but using the wrong fuel is quite common, especially if you have a new vehicle or are driving someone else’s car, and can cause serious damage to the engine. If you do fill up with the wrong fuel, don’t start the car.

Stay cool

Try to park in the shade. This will not only stop your car feeling like an oven (so you won’t wear the battery down by putting on the air conditioning), but it also prevents damage from UV rays and saves fuel, as less will evaporate in the heat. As shaded areas usually go quickly, buy a good quality windshield to keep your car cool. 

Don’t ignore chips

Driving along the motorway sends all kinds of debris flying at our windscreen and sometimes this leads to it getting chipped. While this is annoying, the damage is often so slight that people ignore it. But if a chip is left, it could become a crack and your whole windscreen will need replacing. So if you notice a chip, get it fixed.

Clear the garage

If your garage is full of bicycles, surfboards and gardening tools, it’s time to declutter it and use it for your car. Not only does parking in a garage deter thieves, it also keeps your car in good condition. Garages keep your car cool in summer and warm in winter, which also saves you turning the heating or air conditioning on full blast when you first get into your vehicle.  

Clean up properly

Grime and slush on the underside of your car lead to rust, particularly when the temperatures are constantly rising and falling. A thorough wash will remove all the sand and grit from your car and help to avoid rust, so make sure you do this regularly. 

Look after the tyres

Front tyres get worn quicker, so alternate them after 6,000 miles to ensure even wear. Make sure tyres are correctly inflated as over-inflating tyres makes them wear out sooner and uses more fuel. If you’re buying a new car and don’t want to invest in new tyres for your current vehicle, ask your local garage about second-hand tyres.

Top up regularly

Check the oil, water and coolant regularly, and refill and replace when necessary. You should also regularly change (or ask someone to change) the filters in your car, as these will be full of dust and dirt, which could affect the performance of your vehicle. 

Get a regular service

If your car fails its MOT, it causes a lot of hassle and a hefty bill. Having your car regularly serviced will help you become aware of potential problems with your car early on. It’s also worth having a service shortly before an MOT so that you can deal with any issues beforehand. It’ll also save you from being without a car for longer than is necessary.

Keep the lights clear 

If you’re driving at night, seeing and being seen are crucial. Before each journey, wipe your headlights to get rid of dirt and grime from the last drive, then turn your lights on and walk around your car to check no bulbs have gone. Make sure that your wiper blades are working and that you have enough fluid so that you can clean the windscreen easily.

Keep it safe

• When not in use - keep your car locked, close the window and shut the sunroof

• Park somewhere well lit and near other cars

• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight and clear satnav suction cup marks off your windscreen

• Don’t leave the engine running when you’re not in it

• Install a steering wheel lock, immobiliser, car alarm and vehicle tracking system

• Don’t keep your car registration documents in the car

This article is for promotional or information purposes only. You must not rely on it as advice.