Life as a parent can be a busy whirlwind. In the midst of daily chores, work commitments and child care, maintaining your vehicle is a task that quickly drops out of priority. Fortunately, car maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple tips and minimal equipment, even the most schedule-stretched parent can extend the life of their car and ensure the safety of their family. Here’s how:
Remember Why It’s Important
Maintaining your car may not seem like a priority, but remembering why it’s important can help get car maintenance back into chore circulation. For a start, regular and basic car maintenance can play a crucial role in getting the best deal on your car when it eventually comes to selling or part-exchange. Many people do not realise that a well-maintained car can fetch a higher resale value.
If you’re not bothered about the resale value of your car, bear in mind that regular maintenance makes your car a lot cheaper and more efficient to run, improves its safety, and will make it perform much better for you on a day to day basis.
Checking the Tyre Pressure
Maintaining proper tyre pressure is not just important for the longevity of your tyres, but also for fuel efficiency and overall safety on the road. Tyre pressure should be checked regularly, at least once every two weeks. It’s a simple task which takes less than five minutes. All you need is a tyre pressure gauge, which is a small and inexpensive tool that can fit in your glovebox. The correct tyre pressure details for your vehicle can be found in the owner’s manual or on the door sill.
Inspecting Fluid Levels
Regularly checking and topping up your vehicle’s various fluids is another simple car maintenance task. This includes engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and screen wash. Each one of these helps your car to function correctly. For most cars, this doesn’t demand any special tools – just a rag for cleanliness, and the appropriate fluids, which are all accessible at any petrol station or supermarket auto aisle.
Keeping the Windscreen Clean
A clean, undamaged windscreen plays a crucial role in ensuring a clear line of sight while driving. Remember to regularly fill up your screen wash reservoir and replace your wiper blades if they are cracked or damaged. Additionally, removing any minor chips in the windscreen before they develop into larger cracks is both a safety precaution and a time-saving measure.
Checking and Replacing Car Light Bulbs
Clear and fully functioning lights are important for safe driving and are legally required. Make it a habit to check all the lights on your vehicle including headlights, indicators, brake lights, and fog lights on a regular basis. Changing a bulb is a straightforward task that usually just requires the correct replacement bulb and a screwdriver. If you’re using a popular car model like a Fiesta or an Escort, replacement bulbs are very easy to come by.
Interior and Exterior Cleaning
Keeping the interior and exterior of your car clean may not seem like a maintenance task, but regular cleaning can help preserve the material of your car, both inside and outside, which ultimately increases the lifespan of your vehicle. Additionally, a clean car is a more enjoyable environment for you and your passengers.
Car maintenance doesn’t have to be a professional’s job all the time. There are plenty of tasks that even a busy parent can fit into their schedule. Remember, the goal is to make sure your vehicle continues to serve you well, and to ensure you get the best possible deal when it’s time to sell. Simple, consistent checks and tasks can go a long way towards making that a reality.