Maintenance
Tips

Why do I need to check?

Having the correct inflation pressure in your vehicle's tyres not only optimises the performance, meaning better fuel efficiency, but also increases your personal safety when driving.

Both under and over-inflating your tyres can affect the handling of your car, lead to extra wear and premature failure.

When do I need to check?

As a guide you should check your tyre pressures at least once a month, and before long journeys.

What do I need to check?

It's always best to check your owner's manual to find out the specific recommended tyre pressure for your car and use your own tyre pressure gauge each time - this will make it easier for you to work out whether a pressure loss is due to a tyre problem and not a variation between gauges. Do this when the tyres are completely cold.

What do I need to look out for?

Every time you check the tyre pressures, you should examine the tyres for damage, foreign objects and wear. Look for bumps and bulges in the tread or side wall of the tyre, and cuts, splits, or cracks in the tyre that expose the fabric or cord. These regular checks will prevent a failure on the road, and also make you aware of the tread you have left on the tyre which should prevent you from driving around with tyres which are no longer legal.

To protect against flat batteries:

• Take your vehicle on a relatively long journey at least once every week.
• Use a charger to make sure the battery is in the best condition.
• Make sure map lights are turned off and all doors are closed when leaving the car.

Why do I need to check?

It's a simple but very important check, as it's essential in keeping the engine running.

What do I need to check?

Remember to check your oil levels regularly when refuelling, and always double-check before heading off on a long journey. It's just as important to check the level on your new car, as while the car is in the running-in period the engine can consume more oil than you might think. Remember, putting in too much oil can overfill the engine and cause as much damage as running low. Check your owner's manual for more information on oil levels.

An overheating engine can lead to breakdowns, so make sure your coolant levels are sufficient, and there are no signs of coolant leaks around the engine bay and underneath the car. Please check the owner's manual for further instructions.

An item which can easily be forgotten about is your spare tyre or your Tyre Repair Kit (TRK). Just make sure the spare is in good condition and fully inflated, or that the TRK fluid has not passed its expiry date.

What do I need look out for?

It's easy to run out of fuel, just by simply overlooking the amount that your fuel gauge is reading, underestimating the length of your journey, or having to make unexpected detours. Always make sure you fill up with the correct fuel, otherwise you might incur a large repair bill, and/or cause some permanent damage.

Why do I need it?

You may have made every precaution to prevent a breakdown, but unfortunately they can still happen.

What do I need to include?

A good kit would include things like:

• Blankets.
• First aid kit.
• A torch.
• Maps.
• An emergency triangle.
• A shovel.
• De-icer, anti-freeze/engine oil.
• Warm and waterproof clothing.
• Tow rope, and a mobile phone and its charger.

Make sure you keep your car clean, as it's an easy way to look out for anything out of the ordinary, or carry out some basic maintenance checks. It'll also help with the resale value too.