When more than one of you is driving the family car, it can be even more important to look after it each time you drive. Sure, it’s a hassle moving the seat back into your preferred position. And then there’s the nuisance of to reset the wing mirrors. But when your teenage son has forgotten to replace the fuel he used last night, that can really get on your nerves!
But it’s not just seat and mirror moving you need to worry about when other people are using the car. You need to keep an eye on water levels, aircon top ups, oil, tyre pressures and a whole lot more. Taking it to the garage to be maintained several times a year can cost you the convenience of having a car for the day or more. So what can you do at home yourself to save time?
Tyres
There are plenty of ways you can each be looking after the car to ensure it is ready to use each time you need it. Start with the tyres. Keep the pressures right for the type of driving you’re doing. Chances are you’re only traveling around town. Short journeys use requires a different tyre pressure to freeway driving. You can find your levels in the manual. And there are plenty of great pumps that can inflate and deflate each tyre to the correct number.
Tyres will wear a lot quicker when several people are using the car each day. Each tyre has a tread indicator that will help you identify when it is time to change them. You could extend the life of your tyres by rotating them every few thousand miles. It depends on your driving style how quickly they wear, though. And changing a tyre can be a mucky job! You can call out a specialist tyre replacement service to your vehicle or follow your manual’s advice to do it yourself.
Whether you change the tyres yourself or not, it must be done. Worn tyres have little grip on the surface of the roads. This means that damp and wet roads could become a serious hazard for you and the other drivers in your family. Without that grip, the car may continue to slide forward even with the brakes on. And there is a chance the car will spin out of control into traffic too.
Clean
Keeping your car body clean is a good idea. It reduces the risk of corrosion or rust from embedded dirt and bird mess. It also ensures you have the best view out of your windows. And who wants to get much all over their clothes as they squeeze into the car in the parking lot? You can use a car wash service, or do it yourself with car shampoo, a bucket of water, and a soft sponge. Don’t forget to give the wiper blades a clean on the underneath too!
Fluids
There are certain fluids in the car that are essential to its function and safety. These will all need topping up. They are often done during the annual service. But in winter or hot summers, they can be used up a little more quickly. Keep an eye on the fluid levels, and always have spare bottles of each packed safely away in your garage at home. Oil is one of the most important to get right. Older cars have a simple dipstick test. You pull it out, clean it off, then dip it back in. Now when you pull it out, you’ll see the level of oil you have left. Top it up if it’s low.
Washer bottle fluid is also important so you can quickly and easily clean the windscreen if something covers it. Keep this full up all the time. The car’s water is also essential to keep topped up. This is a special fluid that can be purchased from good car accessory stockists. The level is indicated on the bottle under the car hood. Air con top ups and brake fluid top ups are often only performed by a registered mechanic. Check your manual for advice in these areas.
Looking after your car yourself can save you expensive and time-consuming trips to the mechanic’s garage. Each of the tasks described above may only take a few minutes of your time if they are performed regularly. They’re important to do to ensure the car runs smoothly, and everyone is safe when they’re driving it. Things like lights can be checked and replaced quite easily. Keep your manual to hand for hints and tips on how to look after your particular model.
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