Car maintenance 101: How to look after your vehicle

Everything you need to know about car maintenance

There is no worse feeling than when your car is in the garage for an expensive fix. Even worse when you find out the problem was very much preventable, if you had just carried out some routine maintenance.

Some regular TLC is all your car needs to keep it running smoothly for longer.

You’ll save money in the short run by not having to visit a mechanic so often (which never seems to be a cheap visit), and it’ll save you money in the long run by maintaining its resale value.

Plus, by keeping on top of your maintenance, you’ll spend less time dealing with bigger issues down the line.

If something goes seriously wrong with your car, you could be without one for days while it gets fixed, which is a big inconvenience for you and any regular passengers (the kids).

And taking care of your car isn’t just about saving time and money, it’s also about improving your safety on the road, and overall peace of mind. Regularly checking that your car is working the way it’s supposed to keeping it in tip-top condition and reduces the chance of any accidents.

To keep your vehicle in roadworthy condition, here are five easy ways to look after your car.

The car maintenance basics that everyone needs to know.

1. Annual vehicle servicing

Sadly, this is something you won’t be able to carry out yourself, but is very well worth it.

Considering a car service can cost a few hundred pounds each time, it can feel like a hefty expense.

But one of the best ways to keep your car in good shape is to book in a service regularly.

A car service allows fully qualified mechanics to inspect your car and ensure everything is running as it should be. They’ll be able to spot any issues your vehicle might have and offer some possible fixes.

As a rule of thumb, you should get your car booked in for a service every one to two years, but some newer cars even alert you in the driver display when your car needs to be serviced.

Make sure you check your vehicle’s handbook as the different models and engines will have an individual service plan. It gives you a chance to catch any problems early. The longer you leave issues, the worse it’ll get, and that means a bigger bill you’ll be paying at your garage.

And an up to date, regularly serviced car keeps its value more when reselling, giving the next owner that bit more reassurance the car has been well looked after.

2. Maintain your car battery

Turning your key in the ignition only to hear an engine struggling to get going is one of life's big inconveniences – especially when you're in a rush.

You need a battery to keep your car running. Ensuring your car is driven regularly will help keep your battery healthy and avoid you getting stuck with a dead battery.

If you drive down the road to the shop for a bottle of milk and back, we’d recommend you ditch your car, grab your bag for life and walk these shorter journeys.

Why?

A lot of power is used to start your car and your car’s alternator spends the rest of the journey recharging the battery.

Shorter journeys might not give your alternator enough time to recharge the battery and doing this regularly will reduce your battery’s voltage.

So, frequent but longer journeys are much better for your car’s battery.

Also make sure you haven’t left any lights on, your heated seats on or a sat nav plugged in to charge. These are big battery drainers when left overnight, and could lead to a not-so-fun surprise in the morning.

Checking you haven't accidentally left a door slightly open – thus leaving the door light on – could ensure your battery doesn't completely drain.

3. Check your tyres

First things first, you want the correct air pressure in your tyres. This should be checked weekly (a hard ask in the rainy winter, we know), or at least before a long journey.

The correct tyre pressure keeps your vehicle stable as its weight is evenly distributed.

Underinflated tyres can cause damage to the overall structure of your tyres, make steering heavier and create a bumpy ride. This increases friction, so your car has to work harder and use more fuel.

If you’ve overinflated your tyres, this can lead to increased wear and tear and reduced traction, stability and grip which can be very dangerous.

If you don’t have your own tyre pump, you can visit a petrol station to check your tyre pressure, though you may have to pay for the use of air – which is outrageous we know.

Some cars have an electric tyre pump in the boot of the car, which is useful for on the go checks.

The second thing you should check is the condition of your tyres.

The legal tyre tread depth for cars is 1.6mm and if your tyres are found to be under this, you could receive a hefty fine of up to £2500 and three penalty points on your license for each illegal tyre – ouch.

As you can see, your tyres can affect your driving in so many different ways. So it’s important to keep on top of these routine checks to avoid any unnecessary costly repairs and replacements, or worse, an accident.

4. Regular oil level checks

It’s recommended that you check your engine oil as regularly as every week, and you can even do this yourself.

You’ll want to make sure your engine is cool before you open up the bonnet and look for the dipstick. You’ll need to pull the dipstick out, wipe off any oil on it using an old cloth or tissue, put it back in and then pull it back out.

There will be two lines or balls, or some sort of indicator on the stick where the oil level should sit, if the oil level sits within the gap, it doesn’t need filling up, but if it’s below the gap, it needs a top up.

5. Keep your car clean

Driving around in a squeaky-clean car feels great, but it pays to keep it clean too.

A dirty car can increase the wear and tear on your vehicle. By regularly washing it, you’ll preserve your car’s paint and prevent rusting.

Things like road salt, dirt and grime can cause damage over time. Keeping your car clean will help maintain it for longer.

It can also improve your fuel consumption by reducing wind resistance, maintain its value and ensure your safety.

If you don’t fancy the ol’ sponge and soapy water method, there are many automatic car washes, with many being located in petrol stations.

Keeping electric vehicles in good condition

If you have an electric car, you probably won’t be visiting a garage for repairs as often, but they still need to be looked after as general wear is expected, and minor issues could turn into something much more significant if not cared for. 

They’re often more reliable since they have fewer moving parts, and you won’t need to worry about things like checking the engine oil.

For battery health, it's recommended to charge to 80% rather than 100% for everyday use, which helps extend battery longevity. Don't worry though—most EV batteries come with an eight-to-ten-year warranty, so this won't be a concern if you're leasing.

Your main maintenance focus will be the battery, tires, windscreen wipers, and general paintwork—significantly fewer components than traditional combustion vehicles. Also make sure you're taking care of your charging cables to ensure smooth charging experiences.

Your car is what gets you from A to B and is often your primary mode of transport, so look after it and you’ll see the benefits in the long term.