We’ve all been there – you get to December or January and you start thinking of New Year’s resolutions. A lot of people aim to start a hobby, stop smoking, or get to the gym.
But what about making a few commitments to your car which can give you smoother motoring and potentially lower running costs?
Here at Vavista we’ve come up with 5 simple steps for New Year’s resolutions for your car;
1. Check your tyre pressures
Whilst we should all be sure we have a healthy blood pressure, we should also check our tyre pressures – every month is recommended by the RAC. Not only will this alert you to potential problems and avoid accidents, but having the correct tyre pressures will improve the MPG (miles per gallon) you get from your car.
For more information on how to look after your tyres, check out our blog Ultimate Guide to Car Tyres.
2. Do an oil change
Like improving your diet, the oil is what keeps your engine running smoothly, potentially reducing any chance of breakdown, but also improving its efficiency. Recent research indicates that one in five drivers in the UK never check their engine oil, and 3 million drivers don’t even know how to check it [1]. Regular oil changes are crucial for maintaining your car’s performance and preventing costly engine damage.
Changing the oil isn’t expensive, so aim for every 6 months or 5,000 miles for a proper car-health kick. Though it’s best to check your manufacturer guidelines or your vehicles manual.
3. Get your brakes checked
Along with tyres your brakes are arguably one of the most important parts of your car. With many places offering free brake or winter checks, it makes sense to give yourself piece of mind by getting these looked at as part of your car’s ‘detox’. A survey found that 37% of drivers in the UK admitted to not knowing how to check if their brakes are working properly [2].
Regular brake checks are crucial for ensuring your safety on the road, especially during winter when driving conditions can be more hazardous.
4. Check your fluids
After the festivities, many people go dry and avoid alcohol in January. Obviously, you don’t need to get your car off the booze but you can check its fluids! So ensure wiper fluid, brake fluid, coolant and engine oil are all at the recommended levels. If any are low or leaking, then get this sorted as anyone of these could eventually lead to a breakdown. If you’re not sure, it’s best to check your vehicle manual. This will tell you how.
5. Have a deep clean!
Winter might seem like the worst time to keep your car clean, but it’s actually the most crucial. Just as you maintain your health with a good diet and exercise, keeping your car clean is essential. Road salt and harsh weather can cause significant damage to your paintwork and impair your windscreen and mirror visibility. In fact, research shows that 48% of UK drivers don’t wash their cars regularly during winter, increasing the risk of corrosion and visibility issues [3].
New Year’s resolutions for your car are not only easier to stick to than post-Christmas diets or gym routines, they also offer tremendous benefits!
Get a quote for your car insurance today!
