Car maintenance checklist

There are a number of things you can do yourself to keep your car in tip-top condition for better and safer driving. Follow our handy checklist of monthly tasks to keep you safely on the road.

Fluids
We're all good at checking the petrol level, generally because the warning light appears on the dashboard to tell us when we need to refill the tank! But checking your car’s other fluid levels is also good practice, and should be done once a month, or before long journeys.

The main fluid levels to check are:

1. Engine oil
2. Coolant
3. Windscreen-washer fluid
4. Brake fluid
5. Hydraulic power-steering fluid level, if required
6. Automatic gearbox fluid levels, if required

To check the fluids, first make sure the car is parked on a level surface. Then use the relevant dipstick or reservoir to check the levels.

With the oil dipstick, remove it, wipe it with a rag and replace it, then remove it again and check the level. Top up the oil as necessary, adding a little at a time. If the oil on the dipstick is black and grimy or light brown and emulsified, your engine needs urgent attention, so visit a mechanic as soon as possible.

Hydraulic power-steering systems and automatic gearboxes and clutches may also need periodic fluid checks, and for these, you may notice the dashboard warning lights coming on to alert you when levels drop too low, but you shouldn’t really wait until this happens.

Tyre alert
Next, you should check the condition and pressure of your tyres, from cold, at least once a month. Keep the tyres inflated to the pressure recommended in the owner’s handbook to keep the car safe, and save on your fuel bills. Low tyre pressure can affect your driving and vehicle handling, but healthy tyres will keep you safe and lower your CO2 emissions as the engine has less work to do. In addition, tyres that are low on tread are dangerous, can be illegal and could fail you an MOT.

You can use a tread-depth gauge to make sure all tyres exceed the legal minimum depth of 1.6mm across 75% of the width of the tyre. It’s best to replace tyres when they reach 2mm. Also, don’t forget to check the spare, because you may need it in a hurry and you will want it to be legal and safe.

Other checks
Check your headlamps and tail lights are working properly, on both dipped and main beam. Also check your indicators, fog lamps and brake lights by getting someone to stand outside the car. You should also check the handbrake to see if it holds the car satisfactorily on a hill.
You should also check that the horn is working; that all the seatbelt buckles work; and that the mirrors and glass are free of significant scratches or cracks.

Final checks
Look underneath the car for leaks; check for rust; and allow the engine to tick over for 20 minutes or so, and watch the temperature gauge. If it climbs up into the red, it would be best to talk to a mechanic.

Finally, take off the air filter cover, remove the element and clear any blockages - filters are relatively inexpensive, so you can replace it if the blockage is severe. Do the same for the fuel filter.

Get a car insurance quote from us in minutes with our easy to use quote form.