Five motoring maintenance tips to ensure a smooth Easter getaway

Motorway traffic

With Easter and spring-time staycations on the horizon, it’s easy to get distracted by packing and forget the importance of checking your vehicle and its tyres ahead of a long journey.

We’ve teamed up with the experts at leading mid-range tyre brand, Davanti Tyres, to recommended these five maintenance checks to carry out before you set off on your road trip.

1. Check your tyre pressure and unusual wear and tear

It is recommended that you check your tyre pressures once a month as standard, so if you haven’t checked in the weeks before your trip, take the time to do so now.

Tyres can quickly become deflated if they aren’t checked regularly, and this can result in excessive and uneven wearing of the tread. Additionally, any visible perforation, cut or deformation has the potential to render the tyre unsafe to use so they must be checked thoroughly by a tyre professional if you find something unusual.

2. Make sure there is enough tread

This improves your grip, the vehicle’s handling, and – ultimately – your safety. The 20p test is a simple, quick, and easy way of checking the tyre tread of your car’s wheels. Just take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit.

BMW 3 Series fitted with Davanti Alltoura 4-Seasons tyres

3. Don’t overload your car

We’re all guilty of overpacking, but remember, your vehicle’s tyres are doing the hard work of supporting the total weight of the vehicle and withstanding deformations, speed, and heat, so be mindful of how much you’re taking with you.

If you do need to carry a heavier load than normal, adjust the tyre pressure accordingly, which can be found in the car’s documentation.

4. Light up your holiday

Before you set off, do a quick check of all the lights on your vehicle. For example, turn on your headlights when you’re parked in front of a flat surface and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned, as well as checking indicator and parking lights.

5. Engine oil

The oil in your vehicle’s engine serves a whole slew of functions: it lubricates the moving parts, helps act as a sealant against debris, cools the engine, reduces wear and tear, and helps prevent engine corrosion.

It’s well worth taking that extra 10 minutes to ensure your oil level is at the right level ready for your road trip.

As Peter Cross – General Manager, Davanti Tyres – says: “Regular car maintenance and tyre checks are important. If you ensure any small issues are resolved quickly, it stops a small issue becoming a bigger problem and putting a dampener on any staycations.”

A Guide to HGV Daily Walkaround Checks

When you are in charge of an HGV, you need to make sure that it is in good working order to keep yourself and everyone else on the road as safe as possible. This means it is essential that you perform a walkaround check, before getting into the vehicle to make sure it is fit for purpose. This can allow you to keep on top of any defects, make sure the vehicle is running efficiently, and save lives.

In this article, Fleet Ex look at what should be involved in a daily vehicle check how you should perform it, and what your legal requirements are.

Is it a legal requirement to perform daily HGV checks?

The DVSA requires all HGVs to be checked on a daily basis. The DVSA has the power to inspect vehicles and check for any safety defects at the roadside, and if they feel you have missed anything before setting out, they can ask for records of your checks.

You must perform a check each day of your vehicle, including your trailer, before you drive it, and you are also responsible for monitoring the condition of the vehicle during service.

If the vehicle is going to be driven by more than one driver in a day, each one must check it before setting off to ensure maximum safety for everyone involved. It is therefore essential that you know what should be included in a daily check of an HGV.

Exterior checks of the vehicle

You will need to make sure that you check all aspects of the exterior of your HGV. This should start by ensuring that your lights and indicators are all working correctly, that the lenses are well fitted and clean and that they are the correct colour. You should also take the opportunity to look at the battery to make sure it is secure, in good condition and not leaking and that the fuel cap is fitted.

When the engine is turned on, you should look under the vehicle to spot any signs of fuel or oil leaks. It is important that you look out for any excessive exhaust smoke and that you have enough AdBlue. Take a look at the body and wings of the vehicle and ensure that fastenings work as well as checking that doors, body panels, landing legs, side guards and rear under guards are fully secured and well fitted.

You should also inspect each tyre to make sure that it is secure, inflated, free from damage and has a tread depth of at least 1mm. Spray suppression flaps should be fitted if needed and must be free from damage and clogging. You will also need to assess each electrical connection to ensure that any visible wiring is insulated and unlikely to catch on anything.

When you begin to load the vehicle, you need to ensure that the correct type of loading secure system is used so that it is not going to move whilst in transit and become unrestrained. The coupling security also needs to be checked, keeping a secure attachment to any trailer, located in either the fifth wheel or coupling and the secondary locking is in the right position.

Before completing the check, you should look at the reflectors, markings and warning plates, as well as your number plate to make sure they’re all clearly visible, secure, and clean.

Checking the interior

Checking the inside of the vehicle is just as important as the outside. You should make sure that you take a look at the mirrors to check that they are in the right place and free from any damage, that the view is not obscured in any way, and that they are securely attached. You will also need to check the windscreen for any cracks, scratches, discolouration or excessive tinting.

This is also the point where you should check that the windscreen wipers and washer are working correctly and if any wipers are missing, damaged or worn then you need to report this. It is essential that all drivers have a clear front view without any obstructions in the sweep area of the wipers.

The dashboard should also be checked for any warning lights or gauges to ensure that they are working and whether they indicate a problem. You should also make sure that there is no excessive lift or movement in the steering column and that the wheel moves properly without any jamming. You should also ensure that the power assisted steering is working and the vehicle’s horn is easy to reach and functioning correctly.

You should also make sure that the correct height is displayed on the vehicle height marker inside the cab before double-checking that the seat belt does not exhibit any signs of damage and is secure when plugged in and retracting easily when taken off.

Records of daily checks

You should make sure that there is a record of your daily checks. This should contain a checklist of everything you need to look at, so that you can add a date, time and signature to show when this was completed. If you notice any defects, then you should report them to your manager immediately and record what you notice and who you reported it to.

A record of any defects should include the vehicle registration date, details of the defects, assessment of them as to whether they are dangerous or not, your name, who the defect was reported to, what rectification work has taken place and when this was completed.

Minor defects do not always mean that the vehicle is unsafe, but anything significant could put the vehicle out of action. You must also keep a record of anything that becomes apparent during a journey. These records must be kept and should be available for viewing for at least 15 months.

A daily walk around check should take no more than 15 minutes to make sure that your vehicle is safe and compliant. Even during the busiest of times, these checks are essential for the safety of everyone on the road.

Motorists paying more than £600 a year on unexpected car repairs

Car maintenance

Almost six in 10 drivers say they are hit with surprise repair costs for their car every year, typically forking out £617.

More than a third (37%) of those facing these repairs said they experienced financial difficulty in paying for them.

Tyres top the list of unexpected motoring costs (64%), followed by brake repairs on 24%.

A further fifth (21%) were seemingly victims of Britain’s poor road surfaces as they had to pay out for new suspension parts such as shock absorbers and springs. For cars between three and 10 years old, this figure was dramatically higher at 30%.

The next most common unexpected costs were getting new exterior lights fitted (15%), repairing bodywork damage such as dents and scrapes (14%) and having to replace faulty or worn-out 12-volt batteries.

“Unexpected car repairs are something every driver dreads,” said Paul Coward, chief executive of the RAC’s service, maintenance and repair division.

“This is even more the case for the estimated third of drivers who find it hard to cover these costs.

“What’s more, we know from long-term RAC research that eight-in-10 people depend on their cars, so any time a vehicle is off the road it can cause huge problems.

“Our patrols are experts at coming to drivers’ rescue when things go wrong, but not even they can fix every car.

“Now, with our growing nationwide team of RAC Mobile Mechanics we can get a wide number of repairs done at homes and workplaces.

“An RAC patrol simply tows a broken-down vehicle to the member’s home, then books a convenient time and date for a mobile mechanic colleague to carry out the necessary repair.

“This saves the time and effort of finding a garage that can do the repair quickly, taking away the hassle of getting to and from the garage. Helpfully, customers are also able to spread the cost of the repair over three payments by using Klarna.”

Ultimately, a well-maintained vehicle is far less likely to break down and result in costly unexpected repairs.

Regular servicing is key, as well as ensuring any advisories in the MOT are addressed before they become illegal or go wrong.

Why some motorists are avoiding MOTs and using faulty tyres

Gareth Herincx

33 mins ago
Auto News

MOT testing station

New data from the RAC reveals that 20% of UK drivers under the age of 44 have cut costs by skipping legally required MOTs or delaying tyre replacements, raising significant safety concerns.

The cost-of-living crisis has also driven 19% of all drivers to reduce or halt car servicing and repairs entirely.

For younger drivers, the trend is even more pronounced, with more than a third of under-25s admitting to deferring essential car maintenance.

Bald, worn and damaged tyres - © Gareth Herincx

Across all age groups, one in 10 drivers have neglected to replace worn tyres or skipped MOTs, both critical measures to ensure road safety for the UK’s 42 million vehicles.

Failing to carry out routine maintenance and repairs to save money could also prove to be a false economy when a vehicle breaks down and owners are then faced with a big repair bill.

This is borne out by six-in-10 (59%) drivers facing unexpected repair costs for their main vehicle over the past 12 months. The average total amount spent on these repairs was £617.

“It’s very worrying that so many drivers under the age of 44 appear to have risked breaking the law by not putting their vehicles through the MOT and running them on tyres that should have been replaced, all in an attempt to save some money,” said RAC breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams.

“Safety on our roads is paramount. The MOT is a legal requirement for good reason. Skipping it jeopardises the safety of all road users, including the driver.”

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Changing the oil filter with your own hands – a simple step to confidence on the road!

Home / Auto Blog / Changing the oil filter with your own hands – a simple step to confidence on the road!

Guest Blogger

2 days ago
Auto Blog

Changing the oil in the car is a procedure that every car owner faces. And if the oil itself can be changed without special skills, then changing the oil filter can cause some difficulties.

In this article, we will present you a step-by-step guide to changing the oil filter with your own hands, which will allow you to save time and money, as well as gain valuable experience in self-service of your car.

UK Car Service Market

Metric Value
Market Size £13.2 billion (2023)
2028 Forecast £15.1 billion
CAGR (2018-2023) 2.1%
CAGR Forecast (2023-2028) 1.7%
Popular Oil Brands Castrol, Comma, Mobil, Shell, Halfords
Popular Filter Brands Bosch, Mann Filter, Wix, Purflux, Blue Print
Trends Growing competition, lower prices, online services, DIY
Market Drivers Economic conditions, oil prices, new technologies, environmental regulations
Forecast Market to grow over the next five years

Preparing for work

Before you start changing the oil filter, you need to prepare thoroughly.

Tools and materials:

  • When choosing a new filter, be sure to consider the model of your vehicle. You can find information on a suitable filter in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or in specialized online stores.
  • Depending on the type of filter, you may need a wrench or a strap wrench.
  • Prepare a container with a volume of at least 5 liters.
  • This is used for pouring new oil into the engine.
  • Protect your hands and eyes from hot oil.
  • Will be needed to wipe your hands and engine parts from oil.

Supplemental Materials:

  1. New engine oil: Choose the oil recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
  2. Drain plug gasket: In some cases, the drain plug gasket may need to be replaced.

Image of an oil filter mount provided by sparepartstore24.co.uk

Changing the oil filter

  1. Start the engine and allow it to run for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the oil to become more fluid and make it easier to drain.
  2. Jack up the vehicle or drive it to an overpass. Allow easy access to the crankcase oil pan drain hole and oil filter.
  3. Place a container under the drain hole and unscrew the drain plug with a wrench. Be careful, the oil may be hot. Allow the oil to drain completely into a container.
  4. Using the oil filter wrench, loosen and unscrew the old filter. Be prepared that a small amount of oil may spill out of the filter.
  5. Apply some new oil to the o-ring of the new filter. This will make it easier to install and ensure a tight connection.
  6. Screw the new filter in by hand as far as it will go. Do not use a wrench to tighten the filter as this may damage the filter.
  7. Place the funnel in the engine filler hole and pour in the new oil according to the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Do not overfill the oil!
  8. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check for leaks at the filter and drain plug connections.
  9. Do not pour used oil down the drain or onto the ground. Dispose of it at a used oil collection point.
  10. Record the vehicle mileage and the date of oil and filter change in the service book.

Advantages of changing the oil filter yourself

  1. Changing the oil filter with your own hands will allow you to significantly save on car service.
  2. You will gain valuable experience in self-service of your car.
  3. You will be sure that your car uses quality oil and filter.

In today’s world of ever-increasing service costs, being able to maintain your car yourself is becoming an invaluable skill. Changing the oil filter is a simple procedure that can be done by anyone without the need of car services.

In this article, we have provided you with a step-by-step guide to changing the oil filter with your own hands. Following our instructions, you can save money, gain valuable experience and be sure that your car uses quality oil and filter.

Remember that self-service is not only about saving money, but also about taking care of your car.

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