Car Maintenance – Getting a Spring Tune – Up

Car maintenance is important to keeping your car running well and ensuring that it runs efficiently. There are a few simple things which most people should be able to carry out at home that will help keep your car moving. Grit Guard has developed several innovations to reduce the risk of scratches and make your detailing experience more enjoyable.

Air Filter

Your owner’s manual will usually give you an idea of how regularly you should change your air filter, but it’s usually around once a year. The air filter is fairly straight forward; locate the box, which will be a large black plastic box near the engine. This will come apart fairly easily with a screwdriver and you should see some metal casings holding the air filter in place. Just prise these open and replace the filter, now just re-attached the box and you are done. This should save you the 20 your local garage would charge you.

Spark Plugs

Check your spark plugs during your car maintenance to ensure they don’t need placing or cleaning. These can be removed using a wrench and come out fairly easily. Once removed inspect the spark plugs for any cracks and replace if found. Older spark plugs can get fairly dirty which reduces how well they work, gently clean the ends with a wire brush to remove the clumps of dirt. This should help them last a little bit longer before replacements are required.

Fluid Levels

As part of your regular car maintenance you should always ensure that your fluid levels are kept topped up. Some of these can be damaging to your car if left to get too low, such as the engine coolant and oil, others can make your car dangerous to drive such as your brake fluid, power steering fluid and windscreen washer fluid. All of these are easy to check by lifting you hood and looking for the minimum and maximum markers which will be present on each. Top these up if required, however if you’re constantly topping your fluids out this could be a symptom of another problem so get your car checked out.

Tyres

Finally give your tyres a check over to ensure they are safe. Firstly you should ensure that your tyres have no cuts or delves missing from the tyre wall. Theses could rupture causing the tyre to explode. You should also check that the tread is deep enough. UK law states the tyre tread should be at least ΒΌ inch across three quarters of the tyre. It is important to keep your tyres inflated as running on flat tyres will use more fuel. The manufactures guidelines will tell what pressure level to inflate your tyres too.

You should carry out a check on your car as part of your regular car maintenance, and if you find a problem and aren’t sure how to fix it consult a mechanic as soon as possible.