Looking After your Car: Top Tips from our Industry Experts

John Skelding is a lecturer in the Motor Vehicle department and has a wealth of experience in vehicle maintenance. He shared his top tips with us when it comes to making sure your car is as safe as possible.

Tyres

Check your tyre pressures weekly.
Always make sure that your tyre treads are legal requirement (1.5mm).
Carry a spare tyre - if you don't have one, make sure you have a tyre inflator and double check you have a security locking nut, jack and spanner to undo your wheels.

Lights

Check that all your lights are working weekly. This includes headlights, tail lights, brake lights, hazard lights, fog lights and indicators.
Make sure your lights and number plate are free of dirt - this is a legal requirement!
Never drive your car if your lights are not working correctly.

Windscreen

Make sure you check and clean your windscreen wipers and check your washer fluid weekly.
Use additive in windscreen washer fluid to prevent it from freezing in colder temperatures.

Interior

Regularly check that your seatbelts are working properly.
Never drive if your passengers are not wearing a seatbelt.

Oil and Fuel

Use a dipstick to check your engine oil and cooling water weekly.
Only use your car manufacturers recommended grade of engine oil.
Check the rubber o-ring in your fuel filler cap is still intact and suitable.
Don't forget to re-fix your fuel filler cap after filling up at the petrol station to avoid leaks.

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