When it comes to driving a car, one thing every newcomer to motoring realises fairly quickly is that cars need almost constant maintenance if they are to stand the test of time and reliably carry you from place to place. Here are some essential checks that you should include on your ‘must-do’ list…
MOT
Any car that is older than three-years-old must legally have an MOT certificate that verifies that the car is roadworthy. This means that the brakes, steering, lights and much more are all in good working order, giving the driver and other road users the best possible chance of being seen and safe while on the roads, even in less than ideal conditions. This can include being able to steer safely to the side of the road, following a blow-out, being seen through the use of hazard and brake lights (amongst others) and similar significant features which can literally spell the difference between life and death.
Servicing
Getting your car serviced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines will ensure that your filters are in good nick at all times, that your oil is clean and circulating well, and that the various systems in the car are working well and will get you from A to B (and back again) safely.
Tyre Life
Be aware of how long your tyres should last you. With care and low driving miles, a set of tyres can last as much as ten years, while the average is around five years for ‘normal’ tyre usage. However, even the best looked-after tyres must be replaced at ten years, even if they seem to be in perfect condition. This is because rubber loses flexibility as it ages, and by the time your tyres are ten years old, their integrity is liable to give way at any moment, sometimes without even a hint of a warning crack first. Local tyre fitters can help you choose the right tyres. For instance, if you are not sure where to buy tyres in Buckinghamshire – Broadway Autocentres will make sure you stay safe on the roads at all times.
Sensible Driving
Jack – of all work and no play – may be a dull boy, but he probably has a car that is in excellent condition all the time. Avoid sudden stops and starts as these can ruin your tyres as well as put excess strain on your brakes, and drive within the recommended speed limits at all times. Drive, in other words, like a dull person to ensure that you stay on the road without the excitements of blow-outs, slow punctures, sudden breakdowns or worse. Excitements like those, make a dull life very much the better option and this is especially true of your driving life.
Prevention is Better (and cheaper!) Than Cure
By regularly servicing your vehicle and checking up on the tyres, engine, oil and water in a set schedule, you are much more likely to pick up when something is starting to go wrong. This means that you can act promptly to sort the problem out before it turns into a major – and expensive – crisis.
