CAR MAINTENANCE



BASIC CAR MAINTENANCE

All drivers should know the basics of car maintenance.

Tyres, it is vital that you check your car tyres regularly for wear, cracking, bulging, objects caught in the tread and pressure .Defective tyres are dangerous and if found by the police to be defective you will face a fine of up to £2500 and 3 penalty points per tyre, tread of less than 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre or in any other way are unroadworthy, the correct tyre pressure for your particular car will be listed in the owner's manual.

Engine Oil, cleans and cools your car's engine, if there is insufficient oil the engine is at serious risk of damage, you should check the engine oil level at least once every 2 weeks, when checking the oil make sure the engine is cold and the car is on level ground, remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a cloth, insert the dipstick fully, pull it out again and check that the oil mark is between the "F" and "L" marks. The oil filler cap is usually found on the top of the engine and marked 'oil'. Pour in a small amount of new oil and recheck the level with the dipstick, if needed repeat until you have the correct oil level.

Engine Coolant, helps remove excess heat from your car's engine, if the coolant levels are too low your car's engine can overheat causing the engine serious damage. Check your coolant levels once ever 2 weeks or before a long journey. Locate the engine coolant reservoir, the users manual will show you where, check that the level is between the Min and Max marks. If below the Min mark you will need to add extra fluid, never undo the engine coolant filler cap while the engine is hot. Serious scalding could result from hot fluid under high pressure escaping from the radiator.

Shock Absorbers, to check your car's shock absorbers are in good working order push down on each corner of the car and then release. If the car settles into its normal position after 1-2 bounces then the shock absorbers are in good working order, fit takes longer to settle then it is likely that your shock absorbers are worn out and will need replacing.

Brake Fluid Levels, when you depress the brake pedal you are pushing against a plunger which forces brake fluid through a series of tubes and hoses to the braking unit at each wheel, if you have no brake fluid you have no brakes. To check the brake fluid level, locate the brake fluid reservoir (check users manual if the fluid is below the 'MIN' level add brake fluid up to the 'MAX' line. If you find yourself adding brake fluid frequently then a professional mechanic should check the braking system, the system may have developed a leak. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on your car's paint.

Your Brakes, your car's braking system is complex and should be checked by a professional every 10,000 miles or at least once a year, for non-professionals the best ways to check your brakes are as follows. Whilst driving, should the brake pedal lacks firmness or goes almost to the floor before engaging, the system should be checked. It could mean that the brake-fluid level is low or is leaking. The sound of grinding or metal-on-metal can be a sign of even more serious problem, letting this continue is likely to ensure you'll be needing to replace your discs as well as your brake pads. To check the handbrake is in good working order, whilst on an incline pull the handbrake on, If it takes more than a few clicks before the car is securely held then the cable or rear callipers/drums need to be checked by a professional mechanic.

FAQ’s below a brief list of the most common.

Q. When driving I can hear a heavy knocking noise coming from the engine. What's the problem? A. It is probably due to worn engine bearings. If this is the case they will have to be replaced.

Q. When driving I can hear a hissing noise coming from the engine. Does my car have a problem? A. Yes. There is a leak in either the intake manifold or one of it's associated parts. If so you will need to get the gasket tightened or even replaced.

Q. When running the engine vibrates violently and lacks power. What could be the cause? A. A misfire in one of the cylinders. To resolve the problem an ignition coil will/may have to be replaced.

Q. I try to start my car but the engine won't start. When I turn the key in the ignition I hear a clicking noise. What should I do? A. Turn on the headlights. If they don't work then it the problem is a flat battery.

Q. My car won't start, but the lights are all working. A. The problem may be more serious, it could be a problem with the starter motor. You will need to call a mechanic.

Q. When I brake I feel a vibrating/pulsating sensation through the brake pedal. Is there something wrong? A. If your car has ABS then no. ABS will produce such a sensation when braking hard. If your car has no ABS then be concerned it could be that your brake discs are damaged.

Q. When accelerating I can hear a squealing noise. What is this? A. The likely cause is a loose alternator belt. Such a problem needs fixing quickly as it can lead to an engine overheating or a flat battery.

Q. When pressing down on the brake pedal it feels less solid and more springy than it used to. Is there a problem? A. Yes. It is likely that air has got into the brake system. To fix the problem your brakes will need to be bled.

Q. When I accelerate the revs increase but the car doesn't speed up. What's happening? A. Your clutch has most likely slipped and will need to be adjusted by a mechanic.

Q. When I engage the clutch pedal it feels springy & when I try and engage first gear I hear a grating noise. What's wrong? A. Air may have got into the hydraulic system and needs to be bled.

Q. The exhaust on my car has started to make a lot of noise. What can the cause be? A. There is likely to be a hole in the exhaust system which is letting exhaust fumes out before they reach the back end of the exhaust pipe. This can be a serious problem so take your car to a mechanic as soon as you can.

Q. Occasionally when I have been waiting in traffic for a while a cloud of blue smoke is expelled from my exhaust. Is this a problem? A. Yes. The engines pistons, piston rings or valves are probably worn and need replacing. Get a mechanic to have a look.

Q. There is a small crack in my windscreen. Will I need to get the whole window replaced? A. If the crack is smaller than 2.5cm, is at least 5cm from the edge and is not in the driver's immediate vision then no. The crack can be fixed, but get it fixed as soon as you can as cracks can easily get bigger.

Q. The bulbs in my car lights are always blowing. Why? A. Your alternator voltage is probably set too high. This can be quite dangerous as the battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas if it is being overcharged so take your car to a mechanic ASAP.

Q. When I turn corners I hear a knocking noise coming from my wheels. What is this? A. The CV joints are worn and need replacing. An easy job for a mechanic.

Q. My car has started to bounce a lot more than it used to when driving over bumps in the road. What is causing this? A. Your shock absorbers need to be replaced.

Q. I have noticed white powder around the car battery. Should I be worried? A. Yes. The powder could be caused by the alternator overcharging the battery. This can prove to be quite dangerous and should be checked by a mechanic immediately.

Q. When driving I can feel vibrations through the steering wheel or seat or floor. What's wrong? A. The wheel balance is out. A mechanic will need to look into it.