Vehicle Maintenance - Fluids

By David Sholicar

Regular checks of the fluid levels under the bonnet of a car can not only save money, but also prevent breakdowns.

fluid refill

Vehicle Maintenance - Fluids The Importance Of Regular Fluid & Maintenance Checks

Regular checks of the fluid levels under the bonnet of a car can not only save money, but also prevent breakdowns. Many motorists do not undertake the simple regular checks of oil, water – radiator and washer bottle(s) - plus battery condition, preferring to leave this to the regular servicing intervals. However, these are now extending, in some instances to 20,000 miles, and so it is imperative to check fluid levels regularly, at least once a month.

Oil

Oil is the life blood of an engine and different vehicle models use different grades of oil in differing amounts – check the vehicle handbook for the correct grade for your vehicle. So here is a simple procedure for checking oil level: open the car bonnet and locate the dipstick – however, some new models do not have a dipstick, they have the facility of checking the oil through the car’s computer system with a visual indicator on the car’s instrument cluster. If in doubt check the car’s drivers manual.

Remove the dipstick and wipe with a clean rag or piece of kitchen roll. Most dipsticks have two marks, the top when the engine oil is at the correct level and a second mark indicating when a top-up of oil is required.

Car Battery

Many batteries are now sealed for life and will not require topping up with distilled water again the owner’s manual will provide details. If in doubt ask your car dealer of local independent garage to check the battery condition.

Radiator Coolant

Radiator coolant is also an area that is worth checking, but remember this must be checked when the engine is cold and must of course have an element of anti-freeze.

Windscreen Washer

Finally don’t forget to check windscreen washer bottles, there is nothing more annoying when you need a clean windscreen and the washer bottle is empty. Lastly don’t forget to check the rear screen washer bottle as well.

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Choosing the Right Tyre Made Easy

When it comes to your car's safety and performance, tyres can play a huge role. That's why we've put together a collection of helpful articles to guide you through the process of selecting the perfect tyres for your ride and maintaining your vehicle in general.

If you're looking for a smoother, more luxurious driving experience, premium car tyres might be the way to go. Or, if you want added security against flats, run flat car tyres could be your best bet. Trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres? We've got you covered there, too.

We also dive into the world of tyre brands, comparing top manufacturers like BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres.

But we don't just stop at helping you choose the right tyres – we also share tips on how to keep them in tip-top shape. From checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres properly inflated to extending their life through regular rotation and balancing, our articles have got you covered.

So, whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking to keep your vehicle safe and reliable, our car help and advice articles are here to help you make informed decisions about your tyres. Check them out and feel confident in your tyre choices!

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About the author

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By David Sholicar
David is the National Retail Operations Manager for Protyre. One of David’s areas of responsibility and expertise is dealing with the DVSA and MOT’s for Protyre. As the Authorised Examiner Designate Manager ( AEDM ) David deals with applications for changes to the many Vehicle Testing Stations ( VTS’s) including managing the growth of the Number of MOT testing stations that Protyre operate, allocating MOT tester roles, and monitoring the MOT Test logs to ensure that Protyre MOT standards are maintained as the best in the industry.
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