Maintaining
your
vehicle
is
essential
to
help
ensure
that
it
is
roadworthy,
safe
to
drive
or
ride,
fuel
efficient,
less
polluting
and
not
a
danger
to
passengers,
pedestrians
and
other
road
users.
Vehicle
maintenance
ranges
from
cleaning
your
vehicle
and
conducting
weekly
checks
through
to
full
servicing
and
repair.
New
practical
driving
or
riding
test
The
new
practical
driving
or
riding
test
now
requires
you
to
know
how
to
carry
out
basic
maintenance
of
your
vehicle.
Candidates
are
required
to
answer
questions
on
basic
safety
checks
to
ensure
the
vehicle
is
safe
for
use.
Weekly
checks
for
all
vehicles
washing
and
cleaning
your
vehicle,
particularly
in
winter,
to
ensure
the
windows,
lights
and
door
mirrors
are
clean
checking
and
topping
up
fluid
levels
such
as
engine
coolant,
engine
oil
and
brake
fluid
checking
the condition of the vehicles tyres for damage,
air pressure and tread
checking
that all lights work and light correctly
ensuring
wiper blades are in good order and the windscreen
washer fluid bottle is full
checking
the exhaust system is in sound working order
Weekly
checks for motorcycles
In
addition to the above, motorcycle owners should:
check
for chain wear, correct tension and rear wheel alignment.
Tension should be adjusted as specified in the machines
handbook. Drive chain should be lubricated to ensure
excessive wear does not take place
correct
tyre pressure settings which can be found in owners
manual
handle
bars should be free to move smoothly from full left
lock to full right lock without any control cables being
stretched, trapped or pinched and without any snagging
between moving and fixed parts
Check
the owners manual for your vehicle
Information
on how to perform these tasks is contained in the vehicle
owners manual supplied with the vehicle. This manual will
also cover any other additional maintenance activities that
are recommended for your vehicle.
Servicing
your vehicle
The
manufacturers routine service intervals. These vary from manufacturer
to manufacturer and vehicle to vehicle, depending on type
of vehicle and type of engine. Full details of the service
requirements are normally detailed in the owners manual supplied
with the vehicle.
MOT
your vehicle
Taking
the annual MOT test or goods vehicle test will ensure that
your vehicle over a certain age is checked at least once a
year to see that it complies with key roadworthiness and environmental
requirements.
Environmental
issues
After
performing maintenance on your vehicle, you will need to consider
how you will dispose of engine oil, other fluids, batteries,
tyres and so on. Careless disposal of these items can cause
pollution to the environment. Many local councils or authorities
operate recycling facilities where oil, fluids and batteries
can be collected and recycled. Contact your local authority
or visit their website to find out your nearest recycling
centre.
