Having a cheap and cheerful car is a great way to get around when you’re a student, but a breakdown or a performance problem with your vehicle can force you to shell out money. Here are some of our best car tips for maintaining your car on the cheap.
READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Waiting days before addressing a warning light on your dashboard could indicate something seriously wrong with your vehicle. You should always travel with your car’s manual stored somewhere in the vehicle and learn the meaning of these lights as different models of vehicles sometimes carry different symbols.
CHANGE YOUR WIPER BLADES
When windscreen wiper blades have been in use for too long, they no longer wipe the moisture from your front window effectively. This can lead to dirt on the glass, causing it to lose clarity over time, so it’s important to
change your wiper blades regularly.
USE ADDITIVES
Making use of fuel additives could keep your car in much better condition in the long term. These additives are cheap and will help to reduce harmful exhaust emissions, which will not only aid the environment, but also detox your vehicle. Depending on the type of engine that your car has, you will either need to use a petrol or diesel additive.
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR TIRES
Tyres are something that inevitably need to be replaced, but many motorists fail to check their tyre treads. The legal minimum depth of the tread on your tyres should be 1.6mm. If your tread is lower than this, you could face a fine of up to £2,500. Most manufacturers actually recommend that you replace your tyres when they have 3mm of tread left, as anything thinner could result in handling issues.
