Lifting the bonnet on car care

They’re what get us from A to B every day, but if your tyres don’t have enough tread or pressure, you could be putting your safety at risk. Tyre tread wears down over time with friction and impact on the road surface, so it’s important to check the depth of your tread regularly. There should be at least 1.5mm of tread on a tyre, otherwise the effectiveness of braking or turning your vehicle could be impacted. You should also check for cuts and wear. The same applies for the pressure in your tyres. If the pressure is below the recommended level for your vehicle, you could shorten the lifespan of your tyres. Check your tyre pressure by heading to your nearest service station, or have the pressure checked at your next service. If you need a top-up between services, use service station air pumps (and be sure to set to the pressure recommended for your vehicle). The recommended pressure for your wheels is usually listed on the inside door panel of your vehicle, or in your manual. When to check Tyre condition and pressure should be checked every 4 weeks. Tyres will also need replacing eventually. It’s best to ask your mechanic for a time frame on your tyres, as there’s no set standard. RAA members save 10% on online tyre purchases. Visit the website to learn more.

Keeping your hard-working engine cool is a mighty important gig. This honour is bestowed upon your car’s cooling system and, of course, the humble coolant within it. Making sure you have enough can be the difference between a healthy engine and a terminally ill one. Your coolant level is displayed in a plastic reservoir under your bonnet. It’s important to check the level regularly. Remember, never open your cooling system’s cap(s) straight after your car has been driven. Your engine and cooling system will be extremely hot and under high pressure. If you open your coolant cap, you could be sprayed with a boiling hot jet stream. Instead, check the level at the beginning of the day, before driving or after your engine has cooled down. You can top up your own coolant, if you know what type has been used in your vehicle already. It’s important not to mix coolant types. If you’re not sure what type of coolant is in your car, let your mechanic take care of it, or top up with distilled water in the meantime. Remember, don’t drive your car if the level is very low, as this could irreversibly damage your engine. When to check Check your coolant levels every 4 to 6 weeks, or every week in older cars. Refill if below the recommended level, and ensure it’s replaced within the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. This will need to be done by your mechanic.

Arguably the most important function of a motor vehicle, braking is reliant on brake fluid and brake pads. Brake fluid ensures braking actually happens. Pressing the brake pedal allows brake fluid to be distributed, which puts pressure on the brake pads, eventually stopping your wheels. This is why it’s vital to check your brake fluid level regularly. Why? Well, brake fluid can absorb moisture over time (clever stuff!) contaminating the fluid to the point where it will not perform properly, which causes the braking system to be less effective. Make sure you check your brake fluid level regularly. You’ll find it in a plastic reservoir under your bonnet. For the exact location, check your car owner’s manual. If the level isn’t full, there could be a reason for this, like worn brake pads, or even a leak in the hydraulic system. If the level is very low or close to empty, don’t drive your car until the braking system is checked by a trained technician or mechanic. If you do need to top up your brake fluid, you can buy it from a reputable motoring store like Repco. Make sure not to spill any on the paintwork as brake fluid is corrosive. Remember, if you’re unsure about anything or you don’t feel comfortable topping up, visit your mechanic. When to check Brake fluid must be checked every 4 to 6 weeks, and should be checked by your mechanic each service too.

Checking your windscreen for chips or cracks is important, not only for optimum visibility but also to ensure damage doesn’t worsen over time. Likewise, the health of your wipers should be inspected regularly. While they may only need a simple clean, any fraying or splitting in the rubber blades could indicate they need replacing. This will need to be done by your mechanic. Make sure to check your washer bottle fluid levels, too. Top up with water (there should be a level marked on the bottle), or you might be stuck in a sticky situation (literally). Driving with a dirty windscreen could even land you with a fine. When to check It’s a good habit to check your wipers every time you wash your car. When it comes to your washer fluid and your windscreen, check these every 4 to 6 weeks. Mechanics will also check during a service.

Engine oil is like the blood in our veins, but for cars. Without it, the engine will not survive. It’s important your engine oil remains at an acceptable level at all times, otherwise, your engine will suffer. But how much is enough? Your car’s dipstick will tell you this. Simply locate the dipstick (a thin metal stick, usually with a clearly marked handle) and pull it out to check your oil level. Wipe the dipstick clean, re-insert, then inspect to get an accurate reading. The oil mark must be within the ‘safe’ zone as marked for the engine to run at its best. If the oil level is below the line, or you can’t see any oil at all, do not drive your car. When to check Check your oil level every 4 to 6 weeks, or every week in older cars. Engine oil (and your oil filter) is generally replaced by your mechanic every 10,000km – 15,000km. Check this on your service receipt.

Headlights, indicators, taillights, number plate lights and brake lights can all run out of spark eventually. Just like regular house globes, they’ll need replacing. It’s important to check they’re working for safety reasons. Checking your lights can often be forgotten. Faults can be easily missed because you’re unlikely to notice them from inside your vehicle. We recommend checking car lights yourself on a regular basis – either with the help of a friend or by checking in the reflection of your garage door or walls. If your lights aren’t working, we recommend they are replaced by a professional, if required. It’s especially important to keep your lights in check, because driving without effective lights could land you with a fine. When to check Check your lights every 4 to 6 weeks. Lights should also be checked regularly by your mechanic.

Belts run a huge variety of engine components. They assist with your power steering, air conditioning, alternator, engine valves and so much more. They’re the over-achievers under your bonnet. Due to all its hard work, the drive belt (also known as the serpentine belt) will be prone to wear and tear and will need to be checked by your mechanic at every service. Your timing belt is responsible for the operation of your entire engine, and if it becomes too worn, it could snap. This will likely lead to your engine breaking too. The timing belt can only be checked and replaced by your mechanic, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some cars are fitted with timing chains, which don’t wear and should remain intact for the life of the vehicle. If you’ve bought a second hand car and it’s fitted with a timing belt, it’s important to check the service history to find out when it was last replaced. If these records aren’t available, we recommend you have it replaced for peace of mind. When to check A good mechanic or technician will check your drive belt as part of your routine service. Drive belts and timing belts will need to be changed according to the manufacturer’s service schedule. While it’s not part of a routine service to check your timing belt, a good mechanic will check the manufacturer’s schedule as to when it should be replaced. If you’re not sure of the condition of your timing belt, it might be a good idea to replace it.

These clever hoses are the vessels through which coolant is carried to parts of your engine, to keep it from overheating and working as it should. As they’re made of rubber and filled with pressure while they work, they will deteriorate over time. When to check Radiator hoses should be checked each service and will need changing when they have deteriorated. A good mechanic will advise when it’s time to have yours replaced.

Brake pads are another integral part of the braking process – they apply friction to the discs which slow and stop your car. Unlike brake fluid, which you can easily check at home, brake pads should be checked by your service technician or mechanic. When to check Each service, most reputable repairers and mechanics will give you a report on your brake pad condition and let you know when they need replacing. While there’s no hard-and-fast rule about when brake pads should be replaced, your mechanic should recognise when they reach their wear limits.

The air filter in your car makes sure only clean air passes through to the engine. Trapping any dust in the air as it passes through, the air filter plays an important role in keeping your engine clean and operating at its best. If the filter becomes blocked or damaged, your engine performance and lifespan can be negatively impacted. Dust, dirt and unwanted debris can cause car engines to suffer. When to check Your mechanic or service technician should check your air filter each service. Replacement is generally every 40,000 kilometres, or earlier if the vehicle has been driven in dusty conditions.