OCBA - Maintenance

Maintenance

Preventative maintenance

Daily

Walk around your car and check whether the tyres appear to have even ressure.

On start-up, check all the gauges and warning lights.

Note any symptoms such as sluggish or difficult start-up operation, or any abnormal noises.

Weekly

Check oil, engine coolant and battery electrolyte levels.

Learn how to do a simple, visual inspection under the bonnet to identify deterioration or changes you want your mechanic to investigate – your car manual will help, or at your next service ask the mechanic to show you what components need checking regularly.

Check that your lights work, including the head, parking, indicator, brake and reversing lights.

Annually

Follow the manufacturer's service schedule for your car. However, as a minimum, book your car in for a complete service, including an oil change, each year.

General maintenance

Body
Cleaning and polishing the exterior and interior of the car regularly will:

enhance its appearance

keep paintwork from deteriorating

prevent rust

help preserve its value.

Tyre pressure
Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cool, as incorrect tyre pressure reduces tyre life and affects fuel consumption.

Use a tyre gauge to check the pressure level. If you haven't travelled more than a couple of kilometres, you can check your tyre pressure at the same time as you fill up with fuel (the recommended tyre pressures for normal driving are generally fixed inside the driver's door frame).

Don't forget to check the spare tyre from time to time as well. It should be given higher pressure than those on the road to compensate for pressure loss over time.

Servicing
It pays to have your car serviced regularly. Regular servicing keeps your repair costs down and can alert you to the need for minor repairs, which might prevent more costly ones later on. Generally speaking, as a car gets older you can count on spending more money to keep it reliable.

An authorised dealer has the expertise and equipment to service your particular make of car. Alternatively, select a reputable service chain or independent repairer.

By following the manufacturer's service schedule, your car will receive correct and ongoing maintenance. The schedule is planned to ensure that no component is neglected and you reduce unexpected repairs. As a minimum you should service your car annually.

Your repairer should be able to warn you of upcoming expenses. For example, at each service your repairer should be able to estimate how many kilometres it will be before you need items such as new tyres, new brake linings or an exhaust. This will allow you to factor these future repair costs into your finances.

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Maintenance

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Preventative maintenance

General maintenance