Now that 2009 is over, for many it’s the ideal time to start making New Year’s resolutions. Among these for many motorists may be the objective to take more care of their car or maybe even sell their old one to make way for a shiny new model? The New Year is a good time to form some new habits to make sure your car remains in good health.

A lot of motorists will pay little attention to their car’s health and this can sometimes be your downfall as many common car faults such as flat tyres, flat batteries and engine trouble can occur when the driver doesn’t pay attention to little checks and maintenance tasks. These tasks don’t require a degree in mechanics and engineering and most general maintenance supplies can be bought reasonably cheaply from any good motoring shop or even from your local petrol station (although beware that petrol stations may charge inflated prices for standard products.

Checking your oil

Your engine needs oil in order to ensure it runs smoothly. An engine being deprived of oil is easy to detect. Chances are the engine will sound different than normal, rattling or knocking indicating that there’s a problem. Checking your engine’s oil levels regularly and topping it up when required will ensure your car runs smoothly and doesn’t develop expensive damage over time.

Checking your tyres

Your tyres are vital to your car’s performance on almost every level; braking, accelerating, and handling can all be affected. If your tyres are bald or have little tread then they are not only prone to puncturing but they won’t have as much grip. Check the tread on all four tyres, as well as making sure your spare tyre is in good condition as you never know when you might need it.

Checking your lights

Your lights are vital to the safety of you and others on the road, if one of them is out then it could cause an accident. Your brake lights and headlights are the most important lights on your car, especially in the dark. Your brake lights are vital to show drivers behind you that you are slowing or stopping. Check your lights regularly and especially before driving long distances or on the motorway to avoid any problems.

There are lots of other ways to make sure your car stays in good condition and is safe on the road, allowing you to get to your destination without any problems.

Source by Phillip Adams-Wright