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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Safety checks for your caravan

It pays to spend a little time getting your caravan ready for the touring season – both in terms of safety and looking after your investment.

Here is a checklist to put you on the right track.

• Tow bar - check the condition and operation of your tow bar – and lubricate if necessary.
• Tyres - check the condition of the caravan’s tyres and replace if damaged, cracked or worn.
• Lights– make sure all rear lights on your caravan are working correctly before setting off.
• Number plate– make sure the number plate on your caravan is intact. Don’t forget to change the number plate if you have bought a new car recently.
• Window seals - replace any rubber window seals that look perished.
• Exterior - clean the caravan body thoroughly with a car shampoo and protect with polish or wax.
• Interior - vacuum carpets, curtains and upholstery. Wipe walls, ceilings, fixtures and fittings with anti-bacterial solution. Leave windows ajar for a few hours on a warm, breezy day to air through. Test to ensure that all kitchen appliances and internal electrics are working correctly.

Tyre Maintenance

Check Your Tyre Inflation
Proper tyre inflation is essential for safe driving and long tyre life. It's wise to check your tyres' air pressure at least once a month with an accurate tyre pressure gauge. Be sure to check pressure while your tyres are cold and have not been used recently. Even driving a mile will cause your tyre pressure to increase and give you an inaccurate reading.
Should you experience continuous loss of inflation pressure, it could be an indication of a possible tyre or wheel assembly problem. Consult your tyre professional immediately if you encounter this situation.

Check Your Tyre Tread
Another way is to look at the tread wear indicator bar that's molded into your tyres. The bars are located at the bottoms of the tread grooves in several locations around the tyre. When a tyre is so worn that these bars become visibly flush with the adjacent tread ribs, it's time to replace the tyre.

It is suggested that you check your tyre tread using either method every 4 800Km.

Know What Certain Wear Patterns Mean
As tyres wear, sometimes wear patterns emerge that can indicate problems with your vehicle or tyres. If you see any of these patterns, have your tyres checked by a professional Goodyear Retailer. Here are some wear patterns to watch for.

Wear on both edges: UNDERINFLATION

Underinflation of a tyre reduces its treadlife by increasing the tread wear on its outside edges, or shoulders. It also generates excessive heat which reduces tyre toughness. Finally, it reduces fuel economy through increased rolling resistance because soft tyres make your vehicle work harder. Abnormal tyre wear may also be caused by misalignment or mechanical problems.

Wear in center: OVERINFLATION

When a tyre is overinflated, the center of the tread bears most of the load and wears out faster than the outside edges. Uneven wear reduces the useful life of a tyre. It could also be the result of misalignment or mechanical problems.

Cups or dips in the tread: WORN PARTS

Cupping (also called dipping) is most common on front tyres, although rear tyres can cup as well. It may be a sign that wheels are out of balance or that suspension or steering system parts are worn out.

Sawtooth edges: MISALIGNMENT

If the edges of your tyre tread take on a sawtooth or feathered appearance, it's because of erratic scrubbing against the road. The solution is an alignment correction.


Tyre Balancing
If your tyres are unbalanced, you'll notice vibration. This can lead to driver fatigue, premature or irregular tyre wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Your tyres should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Check your tyre balance at the first sign of vibration or shimmy.

Vehicle Alignment
Your vehicle is properly aligned when all of its suspension and steering components are working smoothly and when its tyre and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. If you notice uneven tread wear, it could be due to a misalignment and your vehicle should be serviced by a professional.

Tyre Rotation
While many people are knowledgeable enough to rotate their own tyres, the procedure is especially quick and easy for a professional. Your vehicle's owner's manual will specify the proper rotation pattern and schedule for your vehicle. If no specific schedule is indicated, a good rule of thumb is to rotate your tyres every 9 600 to 12 800 Kms.

Tyre Repair
Tyre repairs should be made by a trained tyre professional. Proper repair procedure includes dismounting the tyre from the wheel. This allows for thorough inspection of the tyre for damage, as well as the use of a patch and plug to repair any punctures that fall within the guidelines for repair.

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A Clean Car Is Cool

Cleaning a car: a piece of cake, right? Certainly, if you follow the procedures suggested. While it's the most basic procedure in car care, it does deserve some thought.

The first step in cleaning the car is to wash it. Give it a good rinsing from top to bottom, including the wheels and inside the fenders. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body, and don't use the same mitt for both. This way you'll avoid contaminating the vehicle's paint with debris from the wheels and tires.

Use a good tire cleaner with a stiff brush, to improve your tires' appearance even if you don't have white sidewalls or white letter tires.

Next, clean the wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes the brake dust, which often blackens the front wheels. Application of these cleaners vary, so be sure and follow the directions on the container.

Now it's time to wash the body. Use a product sold specifically for automobiles. (Household cleaners can strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish.) Starting at the top, wash one section at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap. Work your way down toward the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle. Clean the rear last since it usually has the largest accumulation of dirt and grime, which can contaminate the wash mitt. Wash the inside door jams about once a month.

To rinse, remove the spray nozzle from the hose. Starting at the top, let the water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle.

Then, to avoid water spotting, dry with a chamois or other product made for this purpose.

Now is an excellent time for waxing, which not only protects the finish but also makes subsequent washing easier. Before proceeding, look for foreign particles on the paint. Use a car cleaner, available at auto supply stores, to remove contaminants imbedded in the paint.

Once the surface is clean, apply the wax, following the manufacturer's instructions for application of the product. Often they recommend not using the product in direct sunlight..

Keeping your vehicle clean, while it doesn't require a lot of effort, it does foster a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

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