A Guide To Basic Car Servicing

Though it is wise to leave the main job of car servicing to the professionals, anyone who follows these basic car maintenance tips can ensure their car’s safety  in-between services. The basics below only serve as a guide and if you have any
issues regarding maintenance of your car, then probably you will need to seek the services of a professional mechanic instead.

Tires

Tires are the most important aspect of your vehicle and failure to check some
factors like tire pressure, tread depth and the general tyre condition can negatively
impact the handling, grip, fuel consumption and control of your vehicle. To make
sure that your tires are functioning well,

· Check your tire condition on a weekly basis
· Check your tyres when they are cold since warm tyres generally give a higher
pressure reading
· Check your tyre pressure regularly to ensure that they are at the right level.
· Keep an eye on the tyre thread. Small bars will normally appear on the tyre
when it wears down
· Check the spare tyre to ensure that it is well inflated and in the best condition

Brake Tips

Being able to brake properly is very important especially when driving on winter
roads. If you notice that your brakes are not functioning well, have them checked
immediately so as to correct the problem. You need to check the brake fluid level,
radiator water levels and oil levels frequently. If you have no idea about to check
these, consult your vehicle manual for directions.

Changes that could alert you of a possible problem with your breaks include a
softer brake pedal that may even touch the floor at times, brake pedals requiring
more pressure to stop, vehicle pulling to one side when brakes are applied and the
appearance of brake warning lights. As soon as you notice any of these changes,
have your breaks examined immediately.
Steering wheel

There are a variety of signs that your shock absorbers are not working well and
some of these include:
· Excessive shaking of the steering wheel when you hit a bump or a pothole.
· Car feels very unstable on rough and un-sealed roads
· Excessive nosediving by the vehicle when braking
· Excessive swerving of the vehicle to one side when brakes are applied
suddenly

Since the performance of the shock absorbers greatly affects the performance of
your steering wheel, you should check them on a regular basis and most especially
when you notice any of the signs above.

Seat belts Basic checks.

Seat belts are a very important safety feature and whether you’re on a short trip or
long trip, make sure that you buckle up. The following checks will help you find
out if your seat belts are really up to the task.

· Check for any signs of fraying or damage to your seat belts, including their
retraction ability
· Ensure that the head restraint is in the right position. It should be as close to
the head as possible and not below the eye level
· Ensure that the proper restraints for your child are in place

Lights, wipers and windscreens

When driving during the winter, ensure that your vehicle can be seen from all sides
by checking whether all the necessary lights are functioning well.
You also need to ensure that your wipers are working well especially to make
visibility possible when it is raining.
When it comes to cleaning lights, use a damp cloth. Check your globes regularly
to ensure that they have not blacked out and if this is the case, replace them
immediately.

In case your vehicle develops problems beyond your understanding, contact
a professional mechanic or car servicing garage immediately to avoid putting
yourself or your family members in any danger. For further advice you can visit
the online car service comparison site servicingstop.co.uk who collect and deliver your vehicle from anywhere in the UK.