How to Maintain Your Car Like a Pro

Good maintenance is not complicated. It is a short list of things done consistently, and it is the difference between a car that lasts eight years and one that lasts eighteen.

Check your fluids monthly

Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid take five minutes to check with the engine cold and the car on level ground.

Respect the service interval

Modern oils are good, but they are not immortal. Follow the manufacturer interval, and halve it if you mostly do short trips in traffic.

Tyres do more than you think

• Check pressures every two weeks, cold
• Rotate every 10,000 km to even out wear
• Replace at 3mm tread, not at the legal minimum

Do not ignore small noises

A new squeak, click or vibration is information. Diagnosing it early is almost always cheaper than diagnosing it late.

Keep the records

Every receipt you keep is money back at resale. A documented service history is the single strongest signal of a well-kept car.