c ar m a I n T enance & r epa I rs

regularly – about once a week – could save your life.

Under-inflated tyres will also increase fuel consumption, so keep them topped up to the recommended pressures listed in your car’s handbook to save money.

Remember, tyre pressures may be different for the front and rear tyres. Some experts suggest rotating your tyres (i.e. swapping the fronts to the rear, and vice versa) in order to even-out wear and prolong tyre life.

however, in the interests of safety, we recommend using the leastworn tyres on the back axle, as loss of front grip (understeer) is much easier to manage than a rear-end slide (oversteer).

Check the level of tread on your tyres regularly – the legal minimum is 1.6mm but you should think about changing them when they are between 2mm and 3mm – as the less tread you have, the less effective the tyre becomes. And don’t forget to check tyre pressure too, and look out for signs of wear or damage which could result in a blow-out. drive SmOOThlY

Driving with ‘mechanical sympathy’ is something you should practise at all times. That means using the controls of your car while understanding how it works.

Doing so will reduce component wear and you’ll make your fuel go further. Simple things like using the steering wheel, gearbox and pedals smoothly are key, along with looking well ahead to reduce the need for sudden braking.

The more aggressive you are on the pedals the higher your fuel and repair bills are likely to be. Driving smoothly is kinder to your car and the environment, plus accelerating and decelerating in a controlled manner and anticipating the road ahead will save you pounds on your fuel bill. hAve YOur CAr CleANed reGul ArlY

That said, if you never rev your engine fully, carbon deposits can build up and foul the valves, intake manifold and other parts, reducing efficiency and potentially causing a misfire.

You should therefore allow your engine to rev to the redline at least once every few hundred miles – but only when the oil is warm and you’re on a quiet road.

Diesel cars may also have problems with clogged diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which are designed to trap harmful exhaust emissions. A longer motorway run once a month will help clear them.

We all know people who never wash their car (and perhaps you’re one of them!), but keeping your car clean isn’t about vanity: it can significantly extend your car’s life, too.

Grit gets into moving parts and the chassis, leading to accelerated wear and corrosion.

Bird droppings can play havoc with paintwork, and winter road salt is especially corrosive.

Automated car washes have stiff brushes that may leave fine scratches – plus they miss bits, too so having your car hand washed is usually much more thorough.

A yearly polish will provide a layer of protection and prevent rust from spreading.

It’s also important to keep the inside of your car clean with a microfibre cloth and to remove any dirt and crumbs from floor mats. It sounds obvious but keeping your car clean and the bodywork sound will help maintain its condition and keep its value when it comes to selling and trading up to a new vehicle. keeP The weiGhT d OwN

Motor manufacturers are constantly looking at ways to reduce the weight of their vehicles to increase the miles per gallon and to meet the emissions requirements. So it makes a lot of sense for you to keep the weight carried by your car to a minimum wherever possible. Carrying extra weight is a sure-fire way to dent your car’s fuel economy.

You’ll also put additional wear-and-tear on your tyres, brakes and suspension. A practical solution is simply to remove any unnecessary objects from the car.

Start with the door pockets and glovebox, then look under the seats for any stray toys or drink bottles.

Moving on to the boot, clear out everything you don’t need. Just remember to leave the toolkit, jack and locking wheel nut key in case of emergencies.