Seven tips for looking after your car

Love putting the effort into keeping your car clean and in great condition? We hear you! After buying your new car, you can't just expect it to stay in good nick. Keeping your car in great condition not only makes your journey more pleasant, but it can also slow down the decrease of its value, ultimately benefiting you when it's time to sell.

So, here's some of our top tips you can take away with you. After all, keeping your car in good condition all year round is the best way to make every journey a smooth one while keeping your vehicle's value higher, for longer.

Keep your fuel topped up

Keeping your fuel tank topped up with help to keep the engine healthy by preventing condensation gathering in the fuel tank. On your next essential trip to the supermarket consider topping up your fuel to full. Also be sure to carry a pack of antibacterial wipes and gloves in your vehicle to avoid the spread of infection on fuel pumps.

Check your tyre pressure

If your car is sitting dormant then tyre pressure can decrease without your realising. Top up your tyres to the maximum pressure and make sure to check them regularly. Moving your car every so often will help to avoid the tyres becoming unevenly worn.

Keep your battery healthy

Using your car for essential trips will help to maintain the battery charge. If there are more than two cars in your household, consider alternating those that you use for essential journeys. You could also consider investing in a mains powered charger to top up charge and prevent loss of power.

Brake care

Regular movement of your car over short distances will also help to maintain your brakes. Make sure to use both the hand and foot brake to ensure that everything is working.

Keep it Clean

Keeping your car clean will avoid general wear and tear on the paintwork. Waxing the exterior can help to avoid corrosion from tree sap and harsh weather. Disinfecting the interior of your car thoroughly can help to reduce to spread of germs, while cleaning the upholstery will help to keep your car smelling fresh!

Spring clean your garage or invest in a cover

Storage is another important question when caring for a car that isn’t being used as much. If you have a garage make sure that you give the floor a thorough sweep prior to leaving your vehicle there to avoid any sharp items becoming lodged in the tyres. Make sure the car is dry and the garage well ventilated. If your vehicle is likely to remain unused for some time you may also consider leaving the car, in gear, with chocks supporting the wheels to avoid strain on the handbrake cable. If a private garage isn’t an option it may be worth investing in a high quality cover for your vehicle.

Keep some spare bulbs

Working lights is a key component to your car being deemed safe on the road. Carrying spare bulbs means that you’re able to keep your vehicle roadworthy for those essential journeys.

These tips for looking after your car should help to keep your car healthy while it's not being used. If your car requires more expert care, our service workshops are open to support the needs of you and your vehicle during these unprecedented times. We're here to keep key workers moving and to ensure that you can complete any essential journeys as safely as possible.

Visit our service pages for more information or to make an appointment.