Your Easy Car Maintenance Checklist

1. Regular Servicing

The easy option for most people is to engage the services of experienced automotive technicians to carry out scheduled servicing at manufacturer-recommended intervals. All vehicles should be regularly serviced regardless of their age, make or model. For cars, this is usually every 10,000km or every 12 months (whichever occurs first), but it pays to check the manual or ask your local mechanical service centre. Regular servicing is more than just changing the oil. It’s a form of preventative maintenance that results in greater reliability and longevity for your vehicle. Servicing takes care of most, if not all, of the following maintenance requirements.

2. Cooling System Checks

Checking your radiator coolant level (only when the vehicle is cold!) is essential because the radiator helps keep your car’s engine cool, avoiding serious engine problems. Take a quick look at the expansion tank level too – the coolant should be high when your vehicle is hot and lower when cold. Check underneath the radiator seal cap too, for evidence of sludge build-up and keep an eye out for leaks in the radiator (evident on the ground or with staining on the radiator). Having your coolant system flushed regularly is also a good idea, as this will help get rid of contaminants that can build up inside. Inspecting the radiator and heater hoses for signs of deterioration or leakage and also antifreeze rounds up the cooling system checks necessary for most vehicles.

3. Engine Oil Checks

You aren’t going to get far without any oil! Using the dipstick, check engine oil levels (when cold). Significantly darker oil indicates a service may be necessary, and oil may need to be replaced. Keep an eye out for oil leaks on the driveway too! It does pay to note that vehicles with air conditioning occasionally drip water from the condenser drainpipe; this is nothing to worry about and is a normal occurrence.

4. Tyre Checks

It may surprise you to know that having the right tyre pressure actually helps to improve fuel efficiency and can extend the life of your tyres by controlling uneven tyre wear. Checking your tyre pressure should be something you do monthly, but especially at the change of each season, as changes in air temperature can affect tyre pressure (cold makes air pressure drop). Don’t forget to check the spare tyre too! Monitoring tread depth is also a good idea and look out for uneven tyre wear (this can indicate you may need a wheel alignment or have the incorrect tyre pressure). The owner’s manual will tell you what the recommended pressure is for your tyres, and you can check your tread depth using the basic match head method (the minimum legal depth is 1.5mm to 1.6mm).

5. Windscreen/Wiper Blades Checks

Did you know that the structural integrity of the windscreen is important in a rollover event? A quick glance at the windscreen to make sure there aren’t any cracks or chips only takes a minute, but it can make a big difference to the overall safety of the vehicle. Any damage to the driver’s side of the windscreen, in particular, needs to be addressed as soon as possible as it can pose a significant safety hazard. While you’re there, inspect the wiper blades for signs of deterioration, these may need to be replaced (average life expectancy is only 1-2 years).

6. Spark Plug Checks

Spark plugs are part of your car’s inner workings and do their job by igniting the gas and air mixture that ultimately powers your car. So, if they aren’t functioning properly, the engine is not operating at optimal capacity. If you feel a loss of power in your engine, experience engine stuttering or just feel as if something is off having a professional check and replace any faulty spark plugs is a great first step.

7. External Light Checks

Often not a problem until they are a problem, the external lights on a vehicle increase visibility and keep you safe under a wide variety of circumstances. The main lights you want to be concerned with are the headlights, hazard lights, turning signals, reversing lights, and brake lights. It is very important that all of these are in good working condition for obvious reasons but also for the legal requirements for meeting Warrant of Fitness regulations.

8. Emergency Equipment/Accessory Checks

An often-overlooked aspect of vehicle servicing, and not something we give much thought to until we get a flat tyre or find ourselves in an accident, the emergency accessories are important to check too! Make sure the spare tyre, jack and associated toolkit are in good working order, vehicle first aid kits and fire extinguishers are well-stocked, and tyre inflation devices and other emergency accessories are all ready and waiting to do their job – this one is especially important if you are planning a long trip! If you have aftermarket mag wheels fitted, they may require specialty tools to remove the wheel nuts like lock-nut keys, spline-drive sockets or thin-wall socket adapters. If you’re unsure if you have the right tools for your wheels visit your local Mag & Turbo store to ask about the right tools for your wheels.

9. Battery Checks

The battery is one of those components that may seem small, but the reality is your car won’t run without it. This is because your car battery supplies the electrical current needed for the starter engine to work along with other electronic accessories. Regular battery checks and testing will ensure it is able to perform when you need it to, and you won’t get stranded somewhere unable to even start the vehicle. Keep in mind the average car battery has a life expectancy of 3.5–5 years, so replacement will be necessary at some point, but as a quick maintenance guide, the terminals should be clean and tightly secured, and the electrolyte fluid levels should be adequate (may need topping up) – consult a battery specialist or automotive technician if unsure.

10. Belt Checks

Checking for signs of deterioration, fraying, or cracks is necessary for all-important belts found in your car’s engine, distinctive squealing noises may also give them away. We are talking fan belts (if present in your vehicle), serpentine/drive belts, alternator belts, and timing belts (what your car has will vary depending on its age, make and model). These belts all carry out their own roles within the engine system and if they fail, there are many components that will also fail, including the cooling system, water pump, alternator, AC condenser and power steering to name a few.

11. Fluid Checks

Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle. This will include but is not limited to, checking the transmission fluid, power steering fluid, air conditioning coolant, differential fluid, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for appropriate refill instructions or get the professionals to tick this one off.

12. Air Filter Checks

Since the air filter affects the air flowing into the engine (keeping it free from airborne particles and debris), if this is clogged up, it will decrease fuel efficiency and increase emissions. Replacing your air filter can sometimes be an easy job, while others are less accessible, check the owner’s manual for instructions and specs on replacing the air filter in your car or take it to your nearest service centre and get the professionals to take care of it for you.

13. Brake Checks

A thorough brake system check is usually carried out as part of your regular servicing. Automotive technicians will inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid levels along with handbrake functionality and let you know if anything needs to be repaired or replaced. It is extremely important to address any issues with your brakes immediately for obvious reasons – no one wants to endanger the lives of others by driving in an unsafe car.