Maintenance and tyres
Keeping the car healthy and cheap to run
-
Engine oil explained: what it does and how to check it
What engine oil does, how to read the grade on the bottle, and how to check the level safely.
-
Dashboard warning lights: what the colours mean
A plain guide to reading the symbols on your dashboard and deciding whether to keep driving, slow down or stop.
-
Coolant and other fluids: a simple check
A beginner's guide to the fluids under the bonnet, how to check the levels safely, and what a leak can mean.
-
Cleaning your car inside and out
A simple routine for washing, protecting and tidying a car without damaging the paint or the interior.
-
Ways to lower your car running costs
Practical ways to spend less on fuel, insurance, servicing and tyres without cutting corners on safety.
-
What to do when your car breaks down
A calm step-by-step plan for a breakdown: get safe, get seen, get help and avoid common mistakes.
-
Brake basics and the signs of wear
How brakes work in simple terms, which noises and feelings mean wear, and why brake work belongs in a workshop.
-
Looking after your 12V car battery
How the standard 12V battery ages, what shortens its life, and what to do before the cold season.
-
Air filter and cabin filter: what they do
The difference between the engine air filter and the cabin filter, when to replace them and what is safe to do yourself.
-
Preparing your car for winter
Battery, tyres, fluids, lights and an emergency kit: a checklist before the cold season.
-
How to read a service book
What a good service history looks like, what gaps mean and which questions to ask.
-
Tyre basics and sizes
How to read the markings on a tyre, how old is too old, and how to choose and care for tyres.