Car Parts and Accessories

Certain items should be checked regularly to ensure that the vehicle continues to give satisfactory service. An ideal time to do this is when you stop to fill up with petrol. Here is a check list for you to follow:

Brake fluid

Brake fluid should be changed every two to two-and-a-half years, as it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere which lowers the boiling point of the fluid. If there is a marked drop in the fluid level this could be caused by brake pad wear or a leak. Investigate and rectify immediately. Modern transparent reservoirs make a quick visual check possible.

Windscreen washer

The windscreen washer water level should be checked and topped up when necessary. Remember to check the wiper blades at the beginning of the rainy season and replace if cracked or perished. Avoid using fluids that leave marks on the glass or paintwork.

Water

Unless you are on a long trip, radiator water level should be checked every time you refuel — preferably when the water is cool as the system is normally pressurised. If it is necessary to remove the radiator cap whilst the system is hot, use a thick cloth and unscrew the cap a little, allowing steam to escape and the system to depressurise, before removing the cap.

Clutch fluid

Many modern cars have hydraulically activated clutches. The clutch master cylinder, which should be filled with brake fluid, is situated next to the brake master cylinder.

Oil

Check the engine oil level. This should be done after refuelling to give the oil time to drain from the engine into the sump. Should the dipstick reading show that the oil level is low, check again, ensuring that the dipstick travels all the way home before withdrawing it.

Petrol

Ensure that the previous petrol sale figures have been cancelled from the pump before fuel is pumped into your car. Avoid overfilling the vehicle as this encourages leaks— especially if the vehicle is parked on a slope or in the hot sun immediately afterwards. Use a damp cloth to wipe any fuel which may have spilled onto the bodywork.

Battery

The battery electrolyte (water) should be maintained above the level of the battery plates and the battery terminals cleaned when necessary. At the onset of winter, if your battery is more than two years old, it should be tested for condition and state of charge, and the fanbelt tension checked to ensure it is not slipping. If the battery is giving problems make sure that the fault does not lie with a low charging rate.

Tyres

Ensure that tyres, including the spare tyre, are maintained at the pressures recommended by the manufacturer, and that when heavier loads are transported, pressures are increased. Either the car or tyre manufacturer can advise you on the required pressures. It is important to note that recommended pressures are for cold tyres and that travelling only a very short distance will warm the air in the tyre sufficiently to give a distorted pressure reading: the pressures of hot tyres are likely to be higher than recommended and should never be decreased while the tyre is hot. At the same time check that all the tyres are within legal limits of wear: a minimum of 1 mm tread depth left over 75 per cent of the width of the tyre at any point.

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