Tune-ups / car inspections

If you have a regular inspection you’re bound to save yourself money at the car shop! You don’t need to be mechanically minded to keep your car in tune. Just make sure you follow a few steps:

• Check the oil and top it off if necessary
• Inspect the tires
• Check other fluid levels –
  • The transmission fluid
  • The brake fluid
  • Radiator fluid
  • Power steering fluid
  • Windshield washer fluid
• Inspect the battery
• Test your brakes
• Check your lights
• Change the oil every 3,000 miles

It’s also a good idea to follow the following steps, but if you are worried that you cannot do this yourself, always get some professional advice:

• Rotate your tires and replace them, if necessary
• Replace the windshield wipers, if necessary
• Replace the car’s air filter
• Inspect and change belts if necessary
• Replace the car’s spark plugs

Always fix problems as they arise – the longer you sit on a problem, the worse it can get. One thing leads to another and before you know it something that would have cost £50 suddenly costs hundreds.