Keeping your vehicle in good shape and well cared for does not need you to spend huge sums of money – remember, the whole point of these car care hints is to save you money today and in the long term with your driving, and for the most part, all you need to do is to allocate a few minutes each week to looking out for signs of wear and tear, topping up oil and water levels and general attention to what your vehicle is being put through.

Check your belts frequently

Pop the hood and take a look at the fan belts and any other belts you can see – you are checking to see if they are worn or suffering from cracking or missing sections. A belt which slips will cause issues with the sound of yoru vehicle as well as cooling and will not work effectively – in extreme cases, if the belt breaks and causes a loss in cooling effect then eventually your engine may cease working.

Engine Tuning

Make sure you arrange for your engine to be tuned at regular intervals – having a service is not the same as getting your engine tuned – engine tuning is about making sure all the engine systems are working in harmony to the best effect depending on the driving conditions. For instance, simply having an unclean spark plug which causes inefficient burning of gas can reduce engine power and decrease your fuel economy by 35%.

Battery Terminals

Keep your battery terminals clean and clear of extraneous matter – use a solution of bicarbonate of soda (one teaspoon to one quart) to clean the terminals and contacts and apply Vaseline to the terminals to prevent corrosion which in turn degrades the effect of the battery when turning over the engine or upon recharging it when you are driving.

Scratches and Marks

Superficial scratching can easily be handled by you at home using Brasso on a soft, clean cloth and rubbing over the affected area. You can also use some solutions made specifically for the purpose such as T-Cut but whatever you use, be aware that the scratches are being blended by the “melting” action of the solution you are using – rub too long and hard and you will eventually wear down to the bare metal or create thin patches of paintwork which then become susceptible to attack from corrosion leading to rust.

Tow Bar and Hitch

Grab an old tennis ball and some silicone spray – apply the spray to the tow hitch and after cutting a slit in the tennis ball, force this onto the ball. This will reduce rust and corrosion of the hitch as well as maintain lubrication.

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