It is now September and the new cycle of ‘71 plate’ cars are here. With new cars being released from top brands such as Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo and other premium brands, you may be asking yourself if your car is due for an upgrade. Or you may be tempted by all the new gadgets that these cars have to offer, however, being brand new these cars can cost a pretty penny!
Sometimes an upgrade could be a well overdue fresh start. However, it is not always essential, and your car may easily be functional for your needs for another 5+ years if treated well. The following are our top tips for looking after your pride and joy.
Tyre pressure & grip:
Tyres are an essential component of any car, so it is vital that they are always looked after and checked regularly. Without appropriate grip or tyre pressure, we may find ourselves in sticky situations on the road. Low tyre pressure can cause poor brake performance, wear the tread unevenly and increase fuel consumption.
A study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that every 1% decrease in tyre pressure equates to a 0.3% reduction in fuel economy. To see this study, undertaken in the US in 2012, please follow this link.
We recommend that you check your tyres once every couple of weeks to ensure that your pressure is optimal at all times – keeping you and others safe on the road.
How often should you check your oil level & engine coolant:
Oil and engine coolant play an important role in keeping your car running safely and at optimal temperatures.
Without sufficient oil in your engine, parts may start to seize up and grind against each other, resulting in some hefty servicing and repairs!
It is important to check your oil level at least once every 2 weeks or before a long journey to see if it needs topping up.
Checking your engine coolant level every 2 weeks will also be a safe measure. Although it may not need topping up often, it is good practice to do it, alongside checking your oil. If you see your coolant below the minimum line at any point, make sure to top it up before starting any journey in your car.
Braking & accelerating:
Braking and accelerating can have a massive impact on your fuel economy and the life of your brakes. Hard accelerating has the potential to get through a lot more fuel, whilst also putting you in and others in more dangerous situations if you are in residential areas for example.
Braking hard, possibly due to hard acceleration or late reactions, can cause you to wear down your brakes a lot faster than normal.
Omitting these types of habit will help you preserve the life of your brakes, save fuel and, most importantly, be a safe driver on the road.
We are here to help:
Tivoli Auto Services is based in Hastings, East Sussex, and we specialise in Volvo, Volkswagen, and Audi. With over 20 years experience, we are able to assist you with all your car maintenance needs.
Call our friendly team today on 01424 442277 or visit our contact page.
To see a list of all the cars we have for sale click here.