Useful Facts About Your Car

Oil is important in your engine as it keeps everything lubricated, cool and clean. Oil will help to keep your engine working efficiently and use less fuel. However, it does need to be changed regularly as it picks up a lot of dirt and contaminants. It is recommended that you change your oil and filter either every 6 months, or every 6,000 miles, to keep it clean and keep your engine running smoothly. You should also check your oil for:

  • Bubbles or foam
  • A milky appearance
  • A strong smell of fuel

It is important that your engine runs on a specific balance of fuel and air. If dirt, sand or any other impurities get into your engine this could clog your fuel filter and starve your fuel injectors.

It is likely that your car could have an on-board computer that will monitor your car’s operating system. If something was to go wrong with your car’s operating system, the computer will tell you about this by activating a specific light on your dashboard. This allows you to go to a mechanic early and prevent the event of a break down and high repair costs. The mechanic can use a specialised scanner and identify what went wrong by reading a trouble code off the computer.

Under or over inflation of tyres can cause:

  • Uneven tread wear
  • Weakened tyres
  • Reduced traction
  • Increased fuel consumption
  • Increased wear

It is important that you check your tyre pressure regularly. If your tyres are under-inflated this will increase CO2 and if they are over-inflated it can be unsafe to drive. Always check and if necessary adjust your tyre pressure before long journeys. You must ensure that your tyres keep their recommended pressure. You will find this in the owner’s manual or in most cases on a sticker posted on the door pillar or in the glove box.

If you are likely to be at a standstill for more than 3 minutes it is recommended to switch of your engine. Doing this will reduce the amount of CO2 you are emitting and will reduce your fuel wastage.

Your Air Conditioning System could be the cause.
Did you know:

  • Your fuel consumption increases when your air conditioning is not functioning efficiently.
  • The gas in your system deteriorates over time and this results in a reduced cooling efficiency
  • Your Air Conditioning should be checked annually and serviced biannually.
  • The servicing of your Air Conditioning is NOT always part of the standard service.