The Ultimate Year-Round Car Maintenance Guide

Your car does a lot for you - school runs, supermarket dashes, weekend getaways, and the odd coffee-fuelled road trip. But when was the last time you returned the favour?

Just like us, cars need a little TLC to stay in tip-top shape all year round. From winter chills to summer scorchers, each season brings its own challenges. But with the right care, your car can handle them all with ease.

Let us take you through the ultimate year-round car maintenance guide to keep your motor running smoothly, whatever the weather throws your way.

Year-Round Maintenance Essentials

Whether it’s blazing hot or bone-chillingly cold, there are some basic car maintenance tips you should follow to keep your car in good working order.

• Oil changes – Top of the list are oil changes, which are essential for a happy engine. Most cars typically need an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or as directed by your mechanic when you take your vehicle in for a service. Don’t forget to keep oil topped up to ensure your car runs smoothly
• Tyre care – Keep tabs on the tyre pressure, check the tread thickness and look for signs of wear and tear once a month. Low pressures can increase the breakdown of your tyres, so keep them at the manufacturer's recommendations
• Fluid Checks – Many modern cars will warn you when the coolant, windscreen wash or AdBlue, in the case of diesels, is running low. But it’s still a good idea to check them regularly and top them up whenever they need it
• Brake inspections – You only need to do this twice a year, but it’s an important check to perform. Get your garage to give them the once over and listen out for any noises or vibrations which could indicate a problem
• Battery maintenance – Every six months, check your battery’s acid levels and clean around the terminals to remove any corrosion. Doing so can help extend your car’s battery life
• Air filter – Your car’s air filter regulates air flow into your engine, but over time can get clogged with dust and debris. Change your filter every 15,000 to 20,000 miles or better still, get your mechanic to check it when you have an oil change

Seasonal Maintenance Must Do’s

As we’re facing increasing seasonal extremes, it’s more important than ever to make sure your car is prepped for whatever the weather throws at it.

Summer Vehicle Maintenance Tips

• Aircon – Summer brings with it warm, bright days out in the countryside or by the beach. But they can also make your car particularly hot and uncomfortable. Thankfully, air conditioning can help you keep cool as well as help reduce pollen levels if you suffer from hay fever. Before the weather heats up, it’s a good idea to check if your filter needs replacing and if it needs re-gassing, as car aircon systems lose around 15% of their refrigerant gas every year
• Coolants – Try to check the levels once a week to avoid the engine overheating. If you don’t and your car overheats, it could land you with a repair bill of a few hundred pounds. If the head gasket blows, you face a bill of £2,000 upwards
• Tyres – Your tyres are affected by increases in air temperature, leading to overinflation, which can cause them to wear faster and raise the risk of blowouts in weak areas. Check pressures every two weeks in hot weather and keep an eye out for obvious signs of wear

Winter Vehicle Maintenance Tips

• Car battery – Cold weather makes it harder for your battery to generate power. At the same time, you use more energy to power headlights, heaters, etc. If it regularly takes a while to start your car it could be a sign it’s time to replace it
• Antifreeze – Just as you don’t want your car overheating in summer, you don’t want it freezing up in winter. Making sure your coolant contains antifreeze and is kept topped up - the last thing you want is a hefty repair bill because the engine has cracked
• Visibility – Salt, grit and dirt from winter roads can soon cover your headlights and make it harder to see, so make sure you clean them weekly. And if you notice a light is out, get it replaced quickly. Similarly, ice can hamper your view, so always carry de-icer or a scraper in your glove box.
• Breakdown kit – Always carry a few essentials in your car in case of a breakdown in cold weather. Include a wind-up torch, a blanket, warm clothes, high-energy snacks and water, a power bank, a warning triangle and a high-vis vest in case you have a long wait before recovery

Car maintenance doesn’t have to be onerous, but it is important you stay on top of it. Following these car maintenance tips throughout the year, as well as paying attention to particular issues during the winter and summer months, can keep you on the road and your car trouble-free.

Need help with any of these maintenance checks? Call 024 7509 0188 to speak to one of our experts today!

​Image source: Canva