More car maintenance for new drivers

In this second blog on car maintenance, we will take a closer look at some of the common problems experienced by newly qualified drivers, and advise you on the steps you can take to avoid that dreaded call to the breakdown service.

Electrics

The first (and most obvious) point to make about checking any electrics is to be careful and don’t touch anything you aren’t certain is safe to handle. Like your home electrical supply, the current running through your car battery is capable of inflicting a serious injury if you suffer an electric shock.

Follow the correct procedure, however, and you should be able to check, jump-start and change a battery.

Checking the battery terminals
Most vehicles today run on a powerful 12-volt battery. And increasingly they are secured discreetly under a cover or casing to help keep them clean and out of harm’s way. Nevertheless, it is possible for the contacts on a battery terminal to get dusty and grimy over time. This can impede the current as it passes around the electrical system and impact on the car’s reliability.

To clean, remove the terminal caps and use a wire brush to clean the contact post. This will help to keep the metal clear and help a solid contact.

Disconnecting the battery
Before you make a start on the battery, ensure that the car is safely switched off. Then proceed with the following to disconnect the battery:

- Loosen the connector for the negative terminal and pull the terminal cap free. Tie the cable back to keep it safely out of the way.
- Loosen the connector for the positive terminal and pull it free. Again, secure the positive cable out of the way before unscrewing any bolts fixing the battery in place (this will vary from vehicle to vehicle, so consult your handbook).
- You can now lift your battery free.

Reconnecting the battery
- Once the battery is fixed in place, connect the positive terminal.
- Then connect the negative terminal. You may see a spark as the negative makes contact with the negative battery terminal, but this is nothing to worry about. Simply tighten the terminal caps and check that everything is safely in place before attempting to restart the vehicle.

Bodywork
If you are a young driver, the likelihood is that your budget for running costs will be tight. But it is worth spending a little extra where possible on better quality products to keep the car interior and exterior in good nick.

Looking after your car isn’t just about keeping up appearances, either. Every day your car comes under attack from harmful chemical compounds. Toxic bird muck, acid rain, grime, grease and dirt all damage paintwork, remove the protective varnish and open up the possibility of rusting.

If you are conscious of resale value in the future, maintaining the appearance and integrity of your bodywork is going to be important to the health of your pocket when you come to trade in your vehicle.

Winter preparation
With winter round the corner, there are a number of other considerations you should take into account, so that you can maintain your car.

- Antifreeze – your coolant should include a good concentration of antifreeze during the cold months to avoid cracking of the reservoir or radiator itself.
- Check and clean your lights more regularly as the nights draw in. You will be much more dependent on them being in good working order.
- As with your coolant, it is important that the concentration of anti-freeze in your screen wash is important in preventing freezing of the container and tubes.
- In the boot – keep the following in the boot to ensure smooth running when the temperature drops:
o WD-40 to stop doors and locks freezing shut
o In-car phone charger in the event of an emergency
o Survival kit to safeguard against breakdown or to keep you safe after a road traffic accident in poor conditions, including:
• Blanket
• Shovel for digging out of snow
• Carpet or cardboard to offer wheels better traction on ice
• Torch
• Ice-scraper and de-icer
• Tow rope
• Jump leads
• Water
• Snacks

The key to good car maintenance is preparation. Take the time to understand how you can keep things running smoothly by carrying out regular checks and you can keep the likes of the AA and RAC at bay.

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