Take good care of your car, and it will be far less likely to let you down.

Avoiding problems

Neglect almost inevitably leads to breakdown. Routine maintenance may be boring, but it is the best way to steer clear of trouble. You don't know the first thing about cars? Anyone can learn - at least the basics. Take time to read through your handbook. It contains lots of information and is designed to be easily accessible to non-technical owners. Give it a try.

On a daily basis

• Be alert for any sign of change. If, for example, the engine seems to be running a little less smoothly, the brakes seem less positive than usual, or the steering feels vaguely odd, don't dismiss it as imagination. Trust your instinct, and investigate the reason, or seek advice.
• Keep an eye on the tyres - your only contact with the road. Any cuts, damage or reduction in pressure need urgent attention.
• Be aware of the fuel gauge. An empty tank is an all-too-common cause of breakdown.

Weekly

• Check tyre pressures, and if necessary adjust them to the correct level shown in the car handbook. Don't forget the spare.
• Check and top up the windscreen washer bottle, and include an additive to tackle grease and squashed flies in summer, or icy conditions in winter.
• Even if you haven't time to clean the car, clean the windows and wipe all the lights to keep them at maximum efficiency. Check for any blown bulbs.
• If your car does not have a sealed-for-life battery, check the level in the cells and top up with distilled water as necessary.
• Remove rubbish from inside the car. A tidy environment is safer, it avoids distraction while you're driving.

Monthly

• Check the level of oil in the engine, and ensure it is between the maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick.
• Check for sufficient liquid in the cooling system. Most modern cars have plastic coolant reservoirs, where you can see the level. In an older car, when the engine is cold, unscrew the radiator cap to check the coolant level. Top up as necessary, and include antifreeze in the mixture, in winter and summer. It helps protect against overheating, as well as frost damage.
• Give the car a good wash and polish to guard against the bodywork ageing.
• Watch for the first signs of rust forming, and treat it before it gets worse. Look for any signs of water leaks that could trigger corrosion.
• Check tyre tread depths and look for signs of uneven wear, showing suspension problems.

Before any long journey

• Walk around the car and look for any signs of potential trouble, especially tyres and lights.
• Check tyre pressures, spare included.
• Check all fluid levels and top up as necessary.

Recognising problems

What does it mean if:

You turn the key and nothing happens

• Switch on the headlights. If they're dim, the battery's flat.

The engine won't fire and there's a clicking sound

• Could be a loose battery connection. Check the terminals.
• May be a faulty starter motor. Seek help.

The starter turns over but the engine doesn't fire

• Could be damp electrics. Try a moisture-repellent spray.
• May be an ignition fault. Seek help.
• Might be fuel starvation. Is there enough in the tank?

You are driving and the engine starts to cough

• Most likely low fuel. Check the gauge and urgently refuel.

The car starts to smell hot and steamy

• Engine overheating.
• Stop immediately and let it cool.
• Let the temperature go down before topping up the radiator.

There's a burning smell but no steam

• Could be an electrical fire.
• Stop but don't open the bonnet.
• Seek immediate help.

The engine falters and stops in hot weather, or won't re-start after a brief stop at the end of a long drive

• Fuel vaporisation.
• Wait about 15 minutes with the bonnet open and try again.

The engine becomes noisy or loses power

• One of several potentially serious problems. Seek help.

Recognising warning signs

If a light suddenly appears on the dashboard, don't ever ignore it. Treat it as a danger sign and investigate.

Dashboard warning lights - what they show:

• Red - danger.
  Stop and check. A red light means potentially serious trouble. Do not drive the car.
• Orange - caution.
  Shows something requiring urgent attention, such as low fuel, low oil level or low engine coolant.
• Green - reminder.
  Indicators flashing, for example. A memory jogger, not a problem.

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