No one expects you to have the knowledge of a mechanic to pass your test but you do need to know how to take care of your car on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sadly, your dad probably won\u2019t still be happy to come and pick you up when you\u2019re 30. That stuff gets a bit embarrassing after a certain age. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Regularly checking your car can:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\t There are some things you should try to check on your car every time that you\u2019re planning on using it. It\u2019s as simple as walking around your car every morning to check that:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t You should also make sure that your windows and windscreen are clean so that you can see the road properly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Keeping an eye on your car\u2019s general health and happiness can help it stay in good condition, which in turn helps parts last longer. <\/p>\r\n\r\n It also means that you may see something that is starting to wear and you can get it fixed before it turns into an expensive problem.<\/p>\r\n\r\n There\u2019s a handy acronym for the regular checks you should make on your vehicle: POWER.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Always remember to make sure that you\u2019ve got enough petrol to get to your destination - don\u2019t try to get there on hopes and wishes because it\u2019s payday tomorrow! <\/p>\r\n\r\n Allow a little extra too because you never know when that short cut will turn into a very long cut and you don\u2019t want to be caught out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Your car needs oil to run well, it\u2019s as simple as that. You know the saying \u2018like a well-oiled machine\u2019? That\u2019s what your car needs to be.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Some cars have a light on the dashboard that\u2019ll tell you if your oil is low but some don\u2019t, so make sure you know your car. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Watch our 1-minute video on checking and filling your oil<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Check your radiator\u2019s tank for the coolant level - it\u2019s the biggest plastic tank and will probably have a screw cap but some older cars just have a cap on the radiator itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The fluid is a mix of water and coolant, which is what stops your car from overheating when you\u2019re driving it. <\/p>\r\n\r\n In winter, this is also where your antifreeze goes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Take the time to do a quick check that all your lights and indicators are working. Seeing and being seen is vital to staying safe on the road.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Remember that a light out can land you with a Fixed Penalty Notice from the police. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Check your tyres! You should check that your tyres are well pumped up every time you drive your vehicle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Your tread is what helps stop your car skidding, so make sure that it\u2019s always well above the legal limit of 1.6mm and that there are no cuts or bulges. Make sure you check your spare too!<\/p>\r\n\r\n Taking good care of your vehicle is another way of taking good care of yourself. A healthy car is a safe car - and it\u2019s also a car that won\u2019t cost you a fortune in garage bills.<\/p>\r\n\r\nUpdated: 11th November 2019 <\/small>\r\n\r\n No one expects you to have the knowledge of a mechanic to pass your test but you do need to know how to take care of your car on a day-to-day basis. Sadly, your dad probably won\u2019t still be happy to come and pick you up when you\u2019re 30. That stuff gets a bit embarrassing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":3103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learning-to-drive","category-the-basics","learning-to-drive","the-basics"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\r\n
Don't forget that simple car maintenance will come up in your test in the show me, tell me questions<\/a><\/strong>.<\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n\r\n
Daily checks (alright, weekly)<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
Regular checks<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
P:<\/strong> Petrol (or diesel - sorry)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
Running your car to empty means forcing the engine to use the sediment - the dirty, nasty stuff that settles at the bottom. Not good.<\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n\r\n
O:<\/strong> Oil<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
Check the brake fluid level and the clutch fluid level while you\u2019re under the bonnet.<\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n\r\n
W:<\/strong> Water<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
Make sure your engine is cold before checking it or the pressurised hot water could give you a nasty surprise.<\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n\r\n
E:<\/strong> Electrics<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
Get someone to help you check your brake lights are working - humans just weren\u2019t made to stretch that way.<\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n\r\n
R:<\/strong> Rubber<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
Don't forget to keep an eye on your spare tyre's tread too.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nGo through the show me tell me questions<\/a><\/strong> so you're ready for the vehicle checks in your driving test.<\/h4><\/div>Watch our 1-minute video on checking and filling your oil<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"