The Basic Car Checks You Need To Do Before Starting a Journey

Oil

This is an important one! But not many people do it as often as it should be done. Check your oil at least once every couple of weeks. Cars can use nearly a liter of oil for every 1000 miles driven. And I don’t need to tell you how much it would cost to replace a seized engine. Your handbook will tell you how to check your oil levels. Just make sure you do it regularly.

Water

In the summer overheating is one of the most common reasons for cars breaking down. But it’s so easy to stop that from happening, simply by you checking your car’s coolant levels. Again your handbook will tell you how to do it. If it looks low, have a check around for leaks and get it fixed if there is one. And don’t forget to check your windscreen washer fluid at the same time.

Electrics

Most batteries are sealed units these days and you’d need to replace the whole thing. Like the overheating a bad battery is one of the most common reasons for a breakdown. Here are a few things to look out for that’ll tell you you need a new battery

• The engine starts slowly
• Your lights are dim
• The engine light is on
• A bad smell in the cockpit
• The connectors look corroded
• It looks like it’s shape has warped
• Or it’s just plain old.

If you spot any of the above get your battery checked. Also, don’t forget to check your horn is working as well.