Maintaining your car

It is essential that you look after your car and keep it in good condition. Not only is this paramount for your safety and that of other road users, but also it means that the longevity of your car is helped and in turn driving a well maintained car will be good for the environment too.

When they pass their test, many people forget to do anything with their car save fill it with petrol - and some people even forget to do that as they are simply used to having a car that is full of petrol all the time from their driving lessons!

You should check the tyre pressure on a regular basis, if the tyre is deflated slightly then this increases fuel consumption so costs money and is bad for the environment.

If there is unnecessary weight in the car then it is also a good idea to remove this to reduce fuel consumption - don't lug lots of heavy stuff about in the boot all the time just because you cannot get around to removing it!

Remember that things like air conditioning increase the usage of fuel by quite a hefty amount, so again only use this when it is necessary rather than simply turning it on because it is there.

Of course there are legal checks that are mandatory for cars of a certain age such as the MOT and these will check things like the engine being suitable and tuned correctly, which in turn ensures that the car isn't spluttering out nasty chemicals all the time. But overall be sure to check that you car is in good condition regularly and take good care of it - it is an investment just like any other.

Related Articles...

driving theory test
Using head restraints
Your car will have head restraints in it, but do you take the time to adjust these before using the vehicle and ensuring they are set at the correct level for you? Head restraints in vehicles are...

Risks when driving: bright or low sun
When the sun is low and bright, it can be very hard indeed to drive. This is because we may have to squint and the bright light can make it hard to pick out objects and to see, sometimes right in...

What happens after the practical test
At the end of the test, you may have had your driving instructor in the back but taking no part in the test. If not, you can call them over before you receive the feedback and result to your...

What a slippery road surface sign could mean
The problem with a slippery road surface sign is this: whilst you know what it means, you don't know what it means. If that sounds confusing, then the point is simply this - what is it that is...

The different types of tyre and maintenance
You might tire of talking about tyres, but these are extremely important elements of your car, being the only part that touches the road. And they need to be in good working order to do their...

Mock Driving Theory Test
Many learner drivers are in the process of finishing A-levels or at university, and so the process of exams and tests is very familiar to you. For those that tests and exams are a distant memory, a...

Your ignition warning light
When you turn on the electrical circuits in your car, then the ignition warning light will come on: make sure that this does indeed happen. Once the engine itself is started, then the ignition...

Selecting low gears when driving
When you are driving, you will just learn to change gears without really thinking about what you are doing and when. But generally you will change up gears the faster you are going, and this is...

Driving and mobile phones
Some people are confused about the rules about using a mobile whilst driving, whilst others know the rules and break them. You might see other people driving with a phone to their ear but you...

Your ignition system explained
The ignition system is of course an essential part of the technology that allows cars to function, and without it you would not get very far. But what does it do? Well the system provides the...


Back to home page of driving theory test questions