With how much money is regularly invested in your car, you want it to run smoothly every time you turn the key.
So, rather than waiting for your next service, get the spanners out and make a few simple adjustments to your vehicle with our comprehensive car maintenance checklist.
When you do need new components for your vehicle, our vast range of service parts are on-hand to keep your car running efficiently and safely.
1 – Oil levels and filter
One of the first things you can tick off your car maintenance checklist is oil levels and oil filter condition. Changing these when needed is a good way of keeping your car engine clean and preventing any potentially harmful materials from getting into the system, corroding the main block.
To do this, park your car on an even surface and turn off the engine. Once the engine has stopped running for a few minutes, examine the dipstick; this is usually a yellow rod with markers to indicate how much oil is present.
If the oil level is above or below these markers, you run the risk of your car not operating efficiently, so make sure it sits at the recommended point on the dipstick and top-up the oil if more is required.
Oil filters should also be replaced if they’re in poor condition and pollutant materials are getting in. This is done by:
- Placing the oil drain pan under the car and locating the filter (it will be cylindrical and often feature distinctive edges along it)
- Use a filter wrench anticlockwise to loosen the oil filter
- Remove it by hand and apply a small amount of oil to the gasket; this will keep it lubricated, and helps prevent sticking
- Tighten the new filter by hand, ensuring it is secure
When you do need to purchase a new oil filter, make sure it’s the correct model for your car; our registration checker tool will help you do just that.
2 – Spark plug
Spark plugs are one of the most crucial parts of your vehicle and should be included on any car maintenance checklist. As their name suggests, they provide the initial spark of electricity that brings your engine to life when you turn the ignition.
Over time, spark plugs start to wear down each time you start the engine. This means the next time you want to get your car moving, you need an increased voltage, which places extra strain on the plug.
Using a ratchet or torque wrench is an effective way of ensuring that the plugs are removed – and replaced – safely and securely. Loosen and remove the plug from the engine block, then simply repeat the process in reverse to insert the replacement.
Like with an oil filter, you need to order a compatible spark plug for your car’s engine.
3 – Air filter
Your car needs to bring in fresh, cool air to regulate the temperature of its various systems and components. Air filters are designed to catch loose materials in the atmosphere, or those that have come off the road as this air is drawn in, to prevent damage to the engine. A faulty air filter can contribute towards a smoky exhaust, which can lead to a failed MOT as a result.
There are several indicators to look out for when your air filter may need changing. If you do encounter any of these, it can usually be found behind the glove box and then removed from the filter compartment.
4 – Wiper blades
Wiper blades play a vital role on the road; helping you see where you’re going. It’s therefore essential to keep them in good condition, whether you hear them juddering, or they just need a clean.
It can be tempting to leave your wiper blades alone until the windscreen is completely smeared, but they should be replaced every six to twelve months as part of your regular car maintenance checks.
Fresh wiper cleaner will also help to keep your car’s windscreen clear over time.
5 – Bulbs
Your car’s bulbs are also crucial to visibility when driving. As you’re concentrating on the road, any issues with them might not be immediately apparent unless a dashboard light tells you, potentially putting yourself, other drivers, and pedestrians at risk.
You can check bulbs by parking alongside a wall and then switching on the sidelights, followed by the dipped headlights, and finally the main beam. You can do the same with the indicators, but it’s worth getting assistance from a friend or family member to check that the brake, rear, number plate and reversing lights are working while you engage the pedals.
Before replacing any damaged bulbs, check you’re getting the right ones for your car to avoid any compatibility problems down the line.
6 – Brakes
Car brakes typically last up to 65,000 miles, at which point their brake pads will have started to wear down. You might also begin to hear squeaking; an indicator that the brakes need checking. Any brake replacement parts should be bought matching the specifications of your car.
To see if they’re working correctly, position your car on the driveway, or in a quiet area. Test the brakes and listen out for any squeaking, grinding or other sounds where damage might have occurred. Doing this will also help you feel if the brakes aren’t operating as intended.
Bleeding your brakes should be done if your braking feels especially soft or you notice a fluid leak; otherwise, it’s recommended to do this once-a-year as a maintenance check.
7 – Interior & exterior mirrors
When your car’s wing mirrors and inside mirror are dirty, give them a thorough clean with some glass cleaner. Seeing clearly into your mirrors is an essential part of car maintenance, so a little bit of elbow grease will go a long way to keeping them sparkling.
You might also need to replace the wing mirror entirely if it has significant scratches or damage to it.
8 – Tyre pressure
Over or underinflated tyres can wear out faster, due to how they affect your car’s handling. This can also put additional strain on other parts of your vehicle, such as the suspension, which is one of the components that might be expensive to replace during an MOT.
Use a pressure gauge in each tyre valve to see if they need air releasing or adding. The pressure will be measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) and anything between 32-35 is adequate pressure for your tyres.
- If the tyres need inflating, use a pump to add air until you reach the recommended pressure
- If the tyres need deflating, use a small object with a flat head e.g., a screwdriver against the valve stem pin to release pressure
9 – Car battery
Car breakdown can sometimes be due to a problem with the battery, for example if the engine takes longer than usual to turn over and start.
Recharging the battery is a solution you can do at home; all you need is a charger and a few hours to let it get to work, depending on the charger’s amps output.
If the battery is damaged, your car will need a replacement. You can also disconnect and replace your car battery from home too.
10 – Cooling liquid
Your car’s dashboard thermometer will indicate to you when the temperature of the engine is too high. This means the cooling liquid, also known as anti-freeze, is not doing its job.
Topping up the coolant will ensure your engine is kept at a reasonable temperature when driving.
11 – Car horn
To make other drivers and pedestrians aware you’re nearby, you need a functional car horn.
Any issues with the horn can be easily checked by pressing it a few times; if there’s no sound, it might be experiencing a fault. You can get the car horn fixed at a local garage, or change it yourself with a replacement.
The way to do this is:
- After removing the front grill where the horn is located, look for a small metal disc connected by two cables
- Remove the connectors, and put them to one side to keep safe
- Insert the new car horn disc and connect with the cables
- Test the horn
- If it creates a sound, finish by replacing the front grill
12 – Check for rust
Rust is a problem that may seem cosmetic at first glance, but it can cause greater damage if left to fester.
Repairing rust requires special tools that may not be readily available, such as fibreglass epoxy gel, so take your car to an engineer as soon as you spot any signs of damage.
Using this car maintenance checklist every few months will help keep your vehicle in top condition. Our experts surveyed 2,000 Brits and worked with Central Automotive Repairs to learn more about why these checks are so important, and what our habits are when maintaining our motors.