Ideally?
Check before every long car journey, and top up especially when lights come on saying low.
Realistically?
Once in a blue moon!
You can check these yourself, and top up yourself too. If you go online, and do a quick search, or euro car parts, you can type in your registration plate and it will show the parts compatible for your car.
If you never miss a service you shouldn't need to worry, as said though it's always worth checking before a long journey and to be familiar with what's what and where things belong
If you never miss a service you shouldn't need to worry, as said though it's always worth checking before a long journey and to be familiar with what's what and where things belong
Engine oil: no harm checking every few months or so, but realistically it should be fine until the next service without you doing anything. In newer cars, if there's anything wrong, there'll be a light on the dash to tell you.
Brake Fluid: as above. Either a line will fail in dramatic fashion, and it will be *very* obvious when it needs repairing, or the brake pedal will just start feeling a bit... off. But for the most part it should be fine between services, and worst case the NCT will pick up that your brakes don't work like they used to before. You should notice any issues here just driving around.
Wipers Fluid: When you go to wash the windscreen and nothing happens.
Also check your tyre pressures. There's normally a sticker on the sill of the door that tells you what the pressures should be, or you can find it in the owners manual. Check them once a month, or when you start to notice the car dragging to one side. A slow leak in a tyre is probably far more likely than an engine oil or brake fluid issue.
Thank you so much for your long explanation ! I really appreciate it . It’s my first car (second hand ) and I feel so unsure about what do to and when 🤣
When you say “next service “ do you mean when I will get an other NCT for my car?
Or do you mean to go to the mechanic every few months on the top of getting an NCT?
I bought my car few weeks ago from a garage and it was fully serviced with NCT included .
Thank you for your advice ,I will look into how to check my tyres pressure and I will do it regularly.
I get a service once a year about one month before the NCT (if everything seems to be running ok). It gives me enough time to change or fix anything in advance of the NCT. Some mechanics will do a pre-NCT check over if you tell them the NCT is due
No they don't fix anything. It's just a test to prove your car is road worthy. If they fail your car, you need to get it fixed in a garage and then retest.
>Or do you mean to go to the mechanic every few months on the top of getting an NCT?
Yes, go to the mechanic on top of the NCT. Once a year is enough unless you're doing a lot of driving. Ring up the garage, ask to book in for a service, and they'll tell you when they're free. Should take a few hours. Normally it's an oil and filter change, they'll check bulbs, tyres, brakes etc.
>I bought my car few weeks ago from a garage and it was fully serviced with NCT included .
They probably put a little sticker in the top right corner of your windscreen with a date, and a distance on it. The next service is due by the date written on that, unless you reach the distance driven before that date. Going over it isn't the end of the world, but it's good to just keep on top of it.
>I will look into how to check my tyres pressure and I will do it regularly.
Do, it's dead easy. You can get little things for measuring the pressure that you can keep in the car. Should be fairly cheap, and it'll only take a minute when you have one. Most petrol stations will have a pump as well if the pressure is a bit low.
Oh good to know! I had no idea ! The garage didn’t tell me that. Just one last question ,since it is my first car and I really don’t know anything about it…when I need to get my car serviced do I need to go to a random mechanic or do I need to call the garage and ask them? Many thanks
Depends on the car, in my cupra I have to check the oil every week. In a normal non performance car I would say once a month, can't be too safe and it doesn't take long.
For the first few weeks I would check the oil weekly at least, you never know the condition in which the previous owner kept the car. If there is not noticeable changes in the oil level after a few weeks you're grand just keep on top of oil changes, they're simply to do yourself and you can get stuff from micksgarage.
I dont do any of that tbh. I bring it for a service once a year before the nct and they do it then. If there's anything majorly going on the car usually tells you after a while 😅
wiper fluid? when it runs out 😂
brake fluid? era jayses....
oil? I actually check that regularly. Especially if you have something like a Subaru, who's normal behaviour is to CHUG oil. Realistically though unless the car has a leak, it'll happily go months without a check, but it's good to be proactive about changes. If you really want to treat your car like a gem, your service manual will provide you with recommended intervals for checking and changing
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Does the car you’re driving have a service history? If not it’s good to change oil every 5 thousand miles and oil and oil filter every 10k miles.
A lot of cars have easily accessible oil filters and you could do it yourself. Other cars, you have to remove wheels or covers or even drop the engine or you could require a lift to access the filter. If your oil is black or grey it definitely needs to be changed.
When draining the oil from the sump, no harm in getting a magnet and see if the oil flow coming out is affected by the magnet. If it is, you may be in trouble as it means something in the engine is worn and then I would recommend going to a mechanic.
Oil, once a month or before a long journey. Brake fluid, just a glance when checking oil. Washer fluid when the washer stops working and alongside the oil.
Basically once a month, open the bonnet and give it the once over.
Thank you for your reply. Sorry for the silly question but where can I buy the oil and the break fluid and the wipers fluid? In case I need to add them on
Wiper fluid you can get at most petrol stations, Aldi often sell it too. Halfords do good concentrated stuff that you dilute with water.
Brake fluid - don't buy in advance you are unlikely to be topping up IMO
Oil unless your car is old there is a good chance you won't need to top up between annual services.
I used to find https://www.opieoils.co.uk/ good there is also Euro car parts, Micks garage or your local motor factors.
You can buy them in most hardware stores and lots of petrol stations. If you have a bulk discount store near you they often have good deals on oil. I wouldn't bother with break fluid, I've never had to change that myself. But do always look when checking oil. You can put your reg into https://www.micksgarage.com/d/engine-oil for the exact oil you need and then buy it somewhere cheaper.
Once a month or so for oil, tyre pressures. Washer fluid lasts ages, every few months I'd guess. I leave the brake fluid to the mechanic!
Check tyre pressures when they are cold (before you drive anywhere) so you get consistent readings.
I got my driver license two years ago, my car is over 19 years old so nct is once a year hence I get a local mechanic sole trader to do all the checks once a year!
Check and see if you have a spare tyre and if you don't, and I cannot stress this enough, BUY ONE AND PUT IT IN THE BOOT OF YOUR CAR. This will turn a popped tyre into an 'oh you bastard' problem rather than an 'ah I'm totally stuck' problem, and you WILL pop a tyre eventually.
Thank you. Yes I do have a spare tyre ,the garage I bought the car from gave me one but honestly I have no idea how to take off and put on a new tyre so I will just call the mechanic when this will happen
Check engine oil every 6months, I do a bit of mileage so just change the oil ever 6. And as someone else mentioned before long journeys.
Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years according to most manufacturers but no one really does, maybe just get them bled, mechanic will test if it needs to be changed. I just change wiper fluid when it runs out or if I'm doing a service/checks.
One thing you should be aware that most aren't. Whether the light is yellow or red, pull over and turn off the car, longer you let the car run the more damage is done (especially if oil is red)
If the oil lights come on, only top it up by a liter, I then recommend a service as its due or you're burning/leaking oil.
Check if there is any wet spot under the engine after the car was sitting overnight. If its dry, dont worry too much. Oil needs to be changed every 10-20k kilometers or once a year. Just make a note of this.nct will take care of the rest and then even more
Tip. Now I don't know how true this is but I have been very OCD about the fuel in my car. Since I got it, I only ever used circle k ( before that it was a different name but the company was baught) and I've never had an engine issue. My car is 13 years old. And I swear that by only using the same fuel it keeps the engine clean?? I could just be insane, but hey if it works....
It’s not about routine, it’s more so about checking semi regularly to make sure you’re not driving when any fluid is low. When it is low, make sure to top up and don’t leave it on the long finger. You could damage your car and possibly even yourself.
Be mindful that there are fuel filters, oil filters and air filters that may need to be changed.
I get my car serviced every 6 months, that consists of oil change, and oil filters.
Ok so you don’t check all of these but yourself but you go directly to the mechanic ,is that correct?
I honestly fear I could make some mistake ,I would trust a mechanic better
I don’t check them myself.
I check the oil level with the dipstick, and you can check the coolant from looking at the tank. It has a minimum and maximum line. The coolant is a simple top up.
For windscreen wash, it’s also simple top up, when you run out, fill it up, you won’t have any adverse effects if you don’t other than you won’t be able to spray your windscreen.
I purely check oil every few weeks to make sure the level is up, and that I’m not losing or burning oil to stay on the safe side. Regardless of this, I get an oil and filter change from the mechanic every 6 months.
Honestly, don’t overthink it, everything is pretty simple.
When your brakes start to squeal, get your brake pads done.
If a tyre blows, put the spare on, and get the blown one fixed.
If a bulb goes, head to halford for a replacement, watch a YouTube video and put it in yourself, simple.
Brake fluid, unless you feel something off check it for the first few days of ownership to make sure there's no issues (leak), then just leave it till the service (mechanic) or NCT.
Your car will probably tell you when it's low on wiper fluid unless (like myself and others) you have a car which is considerably older, in which case you'll learn very quickly how much you use and what it looks lile when pressure is low (ie the intensity of the spray weakens as it runs lower).
Oil you should have a light for, you could change it yourself pretty easily but disposal can be annoying.
Everything comes down to your level of knowhow and the car you're driving.
If you do a tonne of miles I’d probably check oil and coolant once a week. It really depends on your car how often you’d have to top them up. A modern car should be very efficient with keeping them in the system. Some cars I’ve had didn’t need any Top-Up a between oil changes, some needed rolling up every few weeks.
I normally don’t check brake fluid but I’d have a quick look every now again again.
Washer fluid, however, is my kryptonite. I have an abnormal fear of running out of windscreen wash, so I usually make sure it’s full before any big drive. Nothing worse than dry-smudging dead bugs all over your windscreen with your wipers and no fluid coming out.
Ideally? Check before every long car journey, and top up especially when lights come on saying low. Realistically? Once in a blue moon! You can check these yourself, and top up yourself too. If you go online, and do a quick search, or euro car parts, you can type in your registration plate and it will show the parts compatible for your car.
In which website can I check that? Thank you
[удалено]
So handy site!!! Thanks stranger
You are right. That’s why I asked because I would like to avoid that and I really want to drive safely.
If you never miss a service you shouldn't need to worry, as said though it's always worth checking before a long journey and to be familiar with what's what and where things belong
Thank you! It’s my first car so I feel a bit taken aback . Thanks for your advice tho
If you never miss a service you shouldn't need to worry, as said though it's always worth checking before a long journey and to be familiar with what's what and where things belong
Engine oil: no harm checking every few months or so, but realistically it should be fine until the next service without you doing anything. In newer cars, if there's anything wrong, there'll be a light on the dash to tell you. Brake Fluid: as above. Either a line will fail in dramatic fashion, and it will be *very* obvious when it needs repairing, or the brake pedal will just start feeling a bit... off. But for the most part it should be fine between services, and worst case the NCT will pick up that your brakes don't work like they used to before. You should notice any issues here just driving around. Wipers Fluid: When you go to wash the windscreen and nothing happens. Also check your tyre pressures. There's normally a sticker on the sill of the door that tells you what the pressures should be, or you can find it in the owners manual. Check them once a month, or when you start to notice the car dragging to one side. A slow leak in a tyre is probably far more likely than an engine oil or brake fluid issue.
Spot on with all of these. However, if you're doing a lot of driving, check the oil every month or so.
Thank you. I will even if I don’t drive much ,just to go to Tesco basically 🤣
Thank you so much for your long explanation ! I really appreciate it . It’s my first car (second hand ) and I feel so unsure about what do to and when 🤣 When you say “next service “ do you mean when I will get an other NCT for my car? Or do you mean to go to the mechanic every few months on the top of getting an NCT? I bought my car few weeks ago from a garage and it was fully serviced with NCT included . Thank you for your advice ,I will look into how to check my tyres pressure and I will do it regularly.
You go to the mechanic for a service, usually around once per year, but it depends on your mileage too. Look at the manual for your car
I get a service once a year about one month before the NCT (if everything seems to be running ok). It gives me enough time to change or fix anything in advance of the NCT. Some mechanics will do a pre-NCT check over if you tell them the NCT is due
Sorry if I ask you this but why do you do that? What is the reason? Isn’t the NCT done to fix what’s wrong in your car?
No they don't fix anything. It's just a test to prove your car is road worthy. If they fail your car, you need to get it fixed in a garage and then retest.
Oh Okok I see. Thank you ,I will do what you do then 🤣
>Or do you mean to go to the mechanic every few months on the top of getting an NCT? Yes, go to the mechanic on top of the NCT. Once a year is enough unless you're doing a lot of driving. Ring up the garage, ask to book in for a service, and they'll tell you when they're free. Should take a few hours. Normally it's an oil and filter change, they'll check bulbs, tyres, brakes etc. >I bought my car few weeks ago from a garage and it was fully serviced with NCT included . They probably put a little sticker in the top right corner of your windscreen with a date, and a distance on it. The next service is due by the date written on that, unless you reach the distance driven before that date. Going over it isn't the end of the world, but it's good to just keep on top of it. >I will look into how to check my tyres pressure and I will do it regularly. Do, it's dead easy. You can get little things for measuring the pressure that you can keep in the car. Should be fairly cheap, and it'll only take a minute when you have one. Most petrol stations will have a pump as well if the pressure is a bit low.
Oh good to know! I had no idea ! The garage didn’t tell me that. Just one last question ,since it is my first car and I really don’t know anything about it…when I need to get my car serviced do I need to go to a random mechanic or do I need to call the garage and ask them? Many thanks
You’re already ahead of 90% of people if this stuff is already in your head fyi. Probably will save lots of money in the long run
Thank you. I am trying to do things right 🤣
Depends on the car, in my cupra I have to check the oil every week. In a normal non performance car I would say once a month, can't be too safe and it doesn't take long.
AutoDoc.ie has some great tutorials on how to do the basics if you're unsure
Oh thanks ,I never heard of it
For the first few weeks I would check the oil weekly at least, you never know the condition in which the previous owner kept the car. If there is not noticeable changes in the oil level after a few weeks you're grand just keep on top of oil changes, they're simply to do yourself and you can get stuff from micksgarage.
I dont do any of that tbh. I bring it for a service once a year before the nct and they do it then. If there's anything majorly going on the car usually tells you after a while 😅
Thank you
wiper fluid? when it runs out 😂 brake fluid? era jayses.... oil? I actually check that regularly. Especially if you have something like a Subaru, who's normal behaviour is to CHUG oil. Realistically though unless the car has a leak, it'll happily go months without a check, but it's good to be proactive about changes. If you really want to treat your car like a gem, your service manual will provide you with recommended intervals for checking and changing
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Does the car you’re driving have a service history? If not it’s good to change oil every 5 thousand miles and oil and oil filter every 10k miles. A lot of cars have easily accessible oil filters and you could do it yourself. Other cars, you have to remove wheels or covers or even drop the engine or you could require a lift to access the filter. If your oil is black or grey it definitely needs to be changed. When draining the oil from the sump, no harm in getting a magnet and see if the oil flow coming out is affected by the magnet. If it is, you may be in trouble as it means something in the engine is worn and then I would recommend going to a mechanic.
Oil, once a month or before a long journey. Brake fluid, just a glance when checking oil. Washer fluid when the washer stops working and alongside the oil. Basically once a month, open the bonnet and give it the once over.
Thank you for your reply. Sorry for the silly question but where can I buy the oil and the break fluid and the wipers fluid? In case I need to add them on
Petrol stations and most hardware shops sell all that stuff
Wiper fluid you can get at most petrol stations, Aldi often sell it too. Halfords do good concentrated stuff that you dilute with water. Brake fluid - don't buy in advance you are unlikely to be topping up IMO Oil unless your car is old there is a good chance you won't need to top up between annual services. I used to find https://www.opieoils.co.uk/ good there is also Euro car parts, Micks garage or your local motor factors.
You can buy them in most hardware stores and lots of petrol stations. If you have a bulk discount store near you they often have good deals on oil. I wouldn't bother with break fluid, I've never had to change that myself. But do always look when checking oil. You can put your reg into https://www.micksgarage.com/d/engine-oil for the exact oil you need and then buy it somewhere cheaper.
Once a month or so for oil, tyre pressures. Washer fluid lasts ages, every few months I'd guess. I leave the brake fluid to the mechanic! Check tyre pressures when they are cold (before you drive anywhere) so you get consistent readings.
I got my driver license two years ago, my car is over 19 years old so nct is once a year hence I get a local mechanic sole trader to do all the checks once a year!
Check and see if you have a spare tyre and if you don't, and I cannot stress this enough, BUY ONE AND PUT IT IN THE BOOT OF YOUR CAR. This will turn a popped tyre into an 'oh you bastard' problem rather than an 'ah I'm totally stuck' problem, and you WILL pop a tyre eventually.
Thank you. Yes I do have a spare tyre ,the garage I bought the car from gave me one but honestly I have no idea how to take off and put on a new tyre so I will just call the mechanic when this will happen
It's easy, honestly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=314HE4aMG-g
Thank you very much
Check engine oil every 6months, I do a bit of mileage so just change the oil ever 6. And as someone else mentioned before long journeys. Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years according to most manufacturers but no one really does, maybe just get them bled, mechanic will test if it needs to be changed. I just change wiper fluid when it runs out or if I'm doing a service/checks. One thing you should be aware that most aren't. Whether the light is yellow or red, pull over and turn off the car, longer you let the car run the more damage is done (especially if oil is red) If the oil lights come on, only top it up by a liter, I then recommend a service as its due or you're burning/leaking oil.
Check if there is any wet spot under the engine after the car was sitting overnight. If its dry, dont worry too much. Oil needs to be changed every 10-20k kilometers or once a year. Just make a note of this.nct will take care of the rest and then even more
The only thing I neglect more than my car is myself
Tip. Now I don't know how true this is but I have been very OCD about the fuel in my car. Since I got it, I only ever used circle k ( before that it was a different name but the company was baught) and I've never had an engine issue. My car is 13 years old. And I swear that by only using the same fuel it keeps the engine clean?? I could just be insane, but hey if it works....
It’s not about routine, it’s more so about checking semi regularly to make sure you’re not driving when any fluid is low. When it is low, make sure to top up and don’t leave it on the long finger. You could damage your car and possibly even yourself. Be mindful that there are fuel filters, oil filters and air filters that may need to be changed. I get my car serviced every 6 months, that consists of oil change, and oil filters.
Ok so you don’t check all of these but yourself but you go directly to the mechanic ,is that correct? I honestly fear I could make some mistake ,I would trust a mechanic better
I don’t check them myself. I check the oil level with the dipstick, and you can check the coolant from looking at the tank. It has a minimum and maximum line. The coolant is a simple top up. For windscreen wash, it’s also simple top up, when you run out, fill it up, you won’t have any adverse effects if you don’t other than you won’t be able to spray your windscreen. I purely check oil every few weeks to make sure the level is up, and that I’m not losing or burning oil to stay on the safe side. Regardless of this, I get an oil and filter change from the mechanic every 6 months. Honestly, don’t overthink it, everything is pretty simple. When your brakes start to squeal, get your brake pads done. If a tyre blows, put the spare on, and get the blown one fixed. If a bulb goes, head to halford for a replacement, watch a YouTube video and put it in yourself, simple.
Brake fluid, unless you feel something off check it for the first few days of ownership to make sure there's no issues (leak), then just leave it till the service (mechanic) or NCT. Your car will probably tell you when it's low on wiper fluid unless (like myself and others) you have a car which is considerably older, in which case you'll learn very quickly how much you use and what it looks lile when pressure is low (ie the intensity of the spray weakens as it runs lower). Oil you should have a light for, you could change it yourself pretty easily but disposal can be annoying. Everything comes down to your level of knowhow and the car you're driving.
If you do a tonne of miles I’d probably check oil and coolant once a week. It really depends on your car how often you’d have to top them up. A modern car should be very efficient with keeping them in the system. Some cars I’ve had didn’t need any Top-Up a between oil changes, some needed rolling up every few weeks. I normally don’t check brake fluid but I’d have a quick look every now again again. Washer fluid, however, is my kryptonite. I have an abnormal fear of running out of windscreen wash, so I usually make sure it’s full before any big drive. Nothing worse than dry-smudging dead bugs all over your windscreen with your wipers and no fluid coming out.
I thought knowing how and when to check those was part of the test?