In episode one of our car maintenance tip series, car expert Bob Flavin discussed the importance of properly maintaining your car. He shares some benefits of car maintenance which include offering you peace of mind, preventing potential issues as well as improving your vehicle’s resale value.
In this episode, Bob is back to share advice on the checks in your car that need to be done regularly.
Transcript
00:00:00 Music playing in the background throughout the video
00:00:00 Bob Flavin
My name is Bob Flavin and I’m a huge car enthusiast. I’ve spent the last 10 years reviewing cars, going test drives and interviewing motorists for my YouTube channel and I’ve learned a thing or two about car maintenance along the way. Here are three things you can do on the regular to keep your car in good shape.
00:00:16 On screen
Tip one – check all of your bulbs
Bob Flavin
The first thing is to check all of your bulbs. It sounds very simple, but this is something that’s often overlooked. Having good quality and working light bulbs in your car makes a huge difference when you’re driving at night time or in adverse weather conditions, which means you’re safe on the road.
00:00:32 On screen
Tip two – check all of your car’s fluids
Bob Flavin
Secondly, check your fluid levels such as windscreen wash, engine oil, coolant levels and brake fluid levels. These will help your car in the long run. It’s a good idea to check these every two weeks. Just remember your windscreen reservoir won’t have a minimum or maximum level, so you have to remove the cap and look at it yourself. Always allow your engine to cool down before checking your engine coolant and oil levels, otherwise you could burn yourself. Ensure your car is parked on a level surface to give it accurate ready every time. Keep an eye on hygiene in the brake fluid reservoir so no dirt enters it which will affect your braking performance. Brake fluid is toxic, so get yourself some gloves and avoid contact with the skin and the paint work of the car when you’re filling it.
00:01:12 On screen
Tip three – give your car a good wash and wax
Bob Flavin
Lastly, make sure you give your car a good wash and wax. Spruce up your car windows, both on the inside and the outside to make sure you have the best visibility. Remove any leaves or debris that my have been lodged under the bonnet area. Given that your car is exposed to the elements, like mud or bird dropping or debris, giving it a wash and wax will definitely make a difference.
00:01:39 Finish
Routine Car Maintenance
Routine car maintenance is important as it can help improve your car’s longevity, performance, and fuel efficiency. Here are some top tips to achieve this.
Tip one - Check all your bulbs
Bob advises checking all the bulbs in your car regularly. Easy tasks like this can often be overlooked but are so important when it comes to safe driving. Working light bulbs are obviously important at night but also during bad weather like ice, snow and rain.
Functional lights are also needed so other road users can see your oncoming vehicle. It’s one of the many things that can help prevent accidents. Meanwhile, fog lights aid visibility when weather conditions such as fog and mist reduce your ability to see the road ahead.
Be sure to check the following lights bulbs:
- Two headlights (low and high beams)
- Two sidelights
- Indicator lights
- Daytime running lights
- Fog lights
- Brake lights
- Hazard lights
Check out more safety precautions to take while driving in the dark and driving in ice and snow.
Tip two - Check your fluid levels
Bob’s second tip is to check your windscreen wash, engine oil, coolant levels, and brake fluid levels every two weeks.
Your windscreen reservoir won’t have any minimum or maximum external markings, so you’ll need to remove the cap and have a visual check of the level. When checking coolant and oil levels, always allow your engine time to cool down first, to avoid burning yourself. It’s also a good idea to check your fluid levels when your car is parked on a flat and even surface for more accurate readings.
Checking the oil levels regularly is particularly important. Oil is what keeps your engine and moving parts lubricated. Not maintaining sufficient levels can result in you needing a new engine which can be very costly. If you see the oil pressure dashboard warning light, it’s recommended to pull over and phone a garage as soon as you can.
Make sure to wear gloves when checking your brake fluid, because the liquid is toxic and could damage your skin or car’s paintwork. Have a read of everything else that needs to be checked under the bonnet.
Tip three - Clean your car
Bob’s last piece of advice is to give your car a good wash and wax regularly. Your car deserves some TLC when continuously battling the outdoor elements, not to mention the results of daily school drop-offs and pick-ups found on the interior!
Wax over polish is a good way to make your car shine. It helps remove scratches, swirls, dirt and other small imperfections. On the other hand, car wax can help protect and enhance the vehicle’s paintwork.
When washing car windows, use a sponge and microfibre towel to help keep glass streak free. Don’t forget to wash the wheels also and use a microfibre or terry cloth to wipe them dry.
Check out these five ways to make your car sparkle to make the task easier.
Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages, where Bob will be revealing more tips and advice on car maintenance.
Contact Aviva’s customer support team today
At Aviva, we like to reward safe driving. That’s why we give discounts off your car insurance premium1 if you have no penalty points. If you buy your car insurance online, you’ll also get a 15% discount. Get your quote today.2
We encourage our customers, where possible, to make use of our online options to access any help you need. If you have a query you can reach us via our contact forms. MyAviva is an online self-service portal available to all our home and car insurance customers.
