Rainfall or shine, it’s smart to give the vehicle a very good check over every few weeks – you could possibly avoid breakdowns and maybe a sizable, unwanted bill.
Fuel:
Top-up whenever you pass a filling station instead of delaying searching for one till the fuel light turns on – especially if you happen to be driving in an unfamiliar region.
Lighting:
Thoroughly clean all external lighting routinely and examine for blown light bulbs and breaks in the lens.
Oil:
Vehicles can use up as much as 1 litre of oil just about every 1,000 miles. Look at the oil level frequently (your manual will advise you how). Never wait for a red-colour oil pressure warning light to appear – engine damage could have already happened by then.
Water:
Overheating is a very common reason for breakdowns, particularly in warmer weather. Look at the coolant level on a regular basis (the manual will reveal how) and when the level constantly appears low, search for leakages. Top-up the windscreen washer fluid as well.
Electrics:
Battery troubles are the main reason for breakdowns anytime of the year. Renew an aged, worn-out battery before it lets you down. Also ensure that your electric radiator cooling fan will start working once the engine becomes hot – you should check this is correct by running the engine until the fan cuts in, do this with the vehicle stationary.
Rubber:
Incorrectly inflated car tyres are not just unsafe; they degrade faster and will increase fuel consumption by about 5%. If you are driving with additional passengers or baggage, make sure to raise your tyre pressures appropriately (see your manual).
With these 6 simple checks, your car will have a better chance to survive for many years, and avoid breakdowns.