Fluids
Oil is the lifeblood of your engine and missing change intervals can detrimentally affect its lifespan.
Annual changes are recommended regardless of how often you drive the car as oil degrades over time.
A maximum of 15,000miles for petrol engines and 10,000 miles for diesels is recommended although this figure does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Ensure that you flush the radiator every two years and refill the system with the correct water/coolant mix for your model of car.
This will help reduce the corrosion of the pipes and will also extend the life of the water pump.
Some more fluids
Brake Fluid absorbs moisture over time and this reduces its boiling point so plan for a complete flush every two years or you may end up without any brakes in an emergency.
Most modern automatic transmission systems are sealed-for-life units and do not require maintenance for the life of the car.
Not all specialists agree on this and some recommend that the transmission fluid is replaced around the 10-year mark or when a vehicle has done more than 100,000 miles.
Manual gearboxes can benefit from a periodic fluid replacement, especially on older vehicles.
Filters
Air Filters should be replaced with every annual service and if you live in a particularly dusty or area or travel off-road regularly they may need to be done even more frequently.
Aftermarket filters are available that can be cleaned instead of replaced which can lower long term running costs.
Fuel Filters catch any errant particles in the fuel system and should be replaced every other year, a hesitation during acceleration or random stalling may mean that you could have a blocked fuel line.
Cabin filters or microfilters sift out the harmful particles that may otherwise enter the interior and if left too long they will restrict airflow and become ineffective. Annual changes are recommended.
Shock absorbers
One of the most neglected items on a modern car are the shock absorbers, they seldom get replaced and can cause a range of issues from a hard ride to premature tyre wear and erratic handling.
A reputable specialist can check whether they require replacing (usually every 4 years or 50,000 miles) and if you notice any of the above symptoms or see fluid leaking out then it may be time for a new set.
Exhaust systems
A noisy exhaust is hard to ignore and holes in modern stainless-steel systems are rare but a damaged or blocked catalytic converter is far more common and can cause a number of problems in the long run.
If you see a warning light come on indicating that a lambda sensor is faulty make sure you get it seen to and an emissions test during your annual MOT should also highlight any pending issues.
Tyres
A quick inspection of your tyres can reveal a lot, here is what to look for:
A three or four-digit date stamp will let you know how old your tyre is, depending on the manufacturer a lifespan of between 4 to 10 years is recommended.
Cracked sidewalls mean that a replacement is on the cards irrespective of the amount of tread left.
Unevenly worn tyres can indicate incorrect alignment, worn shock absorbers or in the worst case, damaged suspension components.
If any section of the tread has worn below the tread wear indicator it is time for a new tyre.
Those tyres again
If your car is equipped with runflats test their pressure every few weeks as a slow leak does not always get picked up by the onboard tyre pressure monitoring system.
Underinflated tyres will cause excessive sidewall flexing while overinflation can overheat them and both result in accelerated tread wear.
If you have larger diameter wheels and lower profile tyres than what the manufacturer suggests, the ride quality can be detrimentally affected, wheel bearings and suspension components can also wear out sooner.
Cooling System
Extreme cold or heat can put extra strain on your cooling system, cracked hoses and a damaged radiator are signs that a failure is imminent.
Water pumps tend to fail without too much notice but if you hear a grumbling from under the bonnet that is accompanied by unusually high water temperatures then the bearings may be signalling their impending failure.
Brakes
A pulsing pedal under gentle braking may indicate warped rotors which will require skimming or replacing if they are too far gone.
Brake pad wear indicators will warn you if the pads require replacement but not all cars are equipped with them at each corner and a quick visual inspection will let you know how much material is left on the pads.
Electrics
Batteries can last for up to 10 years but if they are allowed to discharge completely their lifespan can be severely shortened.
Topping up unsealed units with distilled water will help keep them functioning correctly and a trickle charger is recommended if you plan to leave your car standing for an extended period.
Removing the battery is not ideal on newer cars as the complex electronics may get damaged as a result.
Modern platinum-tipped spark plugs can last for years but they are expensive and neglecting to replace them will detrimentally affect the engine’s performance.
Driving Style
Even if your car is in tip-top mechanical condition, a rough or unsympathetic driving style can still wear out the components at an accelerated rate.
Warm the engine up before driving it hard, the majority of engine wear occurs in the first few minutes of driving.
Anticipate the traffic ahead of you and avoid hard braking, this will lower the wear and tear on your car and possibly keep you calmer too.
Short trips are the worst for an engine so where possible try to get out onto the motorway every once in a while.
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