Car care: The five basics you should check regularly
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
To most of us, car maintenance is something that someone else does for us. We pay a mechanic to make sure our car meets required safety standards and then put a pretty little sticker on our windscreen to say it is all safe and sound.
But what about all that time between those Warrant of Fitness checks? During that time your car doesn't simply stay the same - things can change and deteriorate, so getting into the habit of doing a quick monthly check - as well as before you head out on a big trip - can not only save you a lot of money, it will also take a lot of the stress out of motoring and leave you with spare stress to put up your tent.
For that reason doing a quick 'TWIRL' around your car is always a good idea.
TWIRL stands for Tyres, Windscreen, Indicators, Rust and Lights and here is what you should look for.
1. TYRES
Tyre faults are one of the main causes of WOF failure in New Zealand, but they are also possibly the single most important feature on your car.
Fortunately, they are also the easiest things to check and don't require any particular expertise to see if there is anything wrong with them. When it comes to tyres; if it looks wrong, it probably is.
The first thing you need to check is the tread depth. While 1.5mm is the legal minimum depth permitted in New Zealand, more tread is always better, with stopping distances drastically reduced (particularly in the wet) with a good amount of tread on your tyres.
Visually checking for any signs of damage or unusual wear is vital, while carefully running your hands over the inside edge of the tyre to check for damage you can't easily see is a good idea. Most tyres these days also have a tread depth indicator in the groove of the tyre to make it easy.
2. WINDSCREEN
Making sure your windscreen is clean, clear and undamaged is another vital and remarkably simple thing to do - just take a look!
You should make sure your windscreen is clean inside and out, with a completely unobstructed view of the road ahead.
Any damage, such as chips or cracks, should be fixed by a professional straight away and, again, this is particularly easy, with most companies that do this happy to come to you.
Along with checking the windscreen, also make sure that your mirrors are clean, clear and pointing in the right direction (pro tip: the internal mirror isn't for checking your reflection in), as well as checking your windscreen wipers are in good condition and your washer reservoir is topped up.
3. INDICATORS
Making sure your indicators work properly is vital. After all, that is how you let everyone else on the road know what you are up to!
Simply putting your hazard lights on and walking around your car will show up any faults, with any non-functioning bulbs needing to be replaced.
4. RUST
While a bit of surface rust in the middle of a door may not be a major problem, any rust that is in a structural area of a car needs to be addressed right away.
Anything on the roof or door pillars and the sills could affect the structural rigidity of your car, meaning it will be offer less protection should the worst happen.
Any rust in a these areas needs to be checked by a professional as soon as possible.
5. LIGHTS
A problem with your lights or indicators is the number one cause of WOF failure in New Zealand and given how easy they are to check, this is just plain silly.
The front lights should be clear and unbroken - hazy or fogged up lenses can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the lights.
If you don't have anyone to help, you can easily check your rear lights by carefully backing close to a wall and checking the reflections in your mirrors.
Finally, if you are heading out on a big road trip, or simply your daily commute, don't forget to check www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz to check your route.
By planning ahead and knowing what's happening on our roads, you can consider taking an alternative route, change your planned travel time, or factor in disruptions so you can arrive at your destination on time.