Author: Simon Pavey

There are many things you can do to stay safe on the road and keep the risk of any unfortunate incidents to a minimum. Regular servicing and maintenance is always advisable, as is signing up to a breakdown recovery service.

Unfortunately, however many precautions you take, there’s always a risk of problems occurring when you’re driving, especially if you regularly take long journeys.

With that in mind, here are some of the car maintenance essentials you should always keep in your vehicle so you’re prepared to deal with unexpected situations:

Empty fuel can

Running out of fuel is one of the most common problems drivers experience on the road, so it’s a no-brainer to keep an empty fuel can in the boot. Then, if you find yourself with an empty tank, all you have to do is walk or get a lift to the nearest petrol station to fill up your can.

Spare tyre and jack

Punctures and flat tyres are another common problem. Make sure you always have a spare tyre in the boot and check it regularly to confirm that it’s usable.

A spare tyre isn’t much use without a jack, so keep one of those in your car as well, and refresh your knowledge on how to change a tyre before setting off on a long journey.

Jump leads

There are various causes of a flat battery, from accidentally leaving headlamps or interior lights on, to the battery simply reaching the end of its lifespan.

If your battery gives up on you, make sure you’re prepared with a set of jump leads so you can get a jump start from another motorist.

Basic toolkit

A toolkit with basic items like a hammer, screwdriver and a pair of pliers can come in useful if you find yourself having to do some basic car maintenance halfway through a journey. Changing a headlight bulb, for example, could be much easier if you have some basic tools to hand.

Water

It’s wise to keep a bottle of water in your car at all times, mainly because you could find you need a drink if you end up having to wait with your vehicle for breakdown recovery. This is particularly important during the summer months.

Water can also come in handy if you need to top up your radiator.

De-icer and scraper

If you’re unlucky enough to find yourself stranded in the middle of winter, de-icer is essential to keep your windscreen and windows clear. Keeping a scraper in the car is also a good idea to get rid of icy build-ups as quickly as possible.

Warning triangles

High-visibility warning triangles can be placed behind and in front of your car if you’ve broken down on the road and need to alert other vehicles of your presence. This could prove vital to maintaining safety and avoiding any other incidents while you’re awaiting recovery.

Torch

Keep a torch in the boot so you can always check your engine, tyres and other car components in the dark. Purchasing a wind-up torch is a particularly good idea, so you don’t have to worry about losing battery power.

As well as stocking your car with maintenance essentials, it’s vital to carry out regular servicing at garages to keep your vehicle in the best condition. MyService.Expert makes it easy to do this with access to more than 4,500 garages nationwide.

The arrival of spring following the long, cold winter is always an exciting time. Drivers all over the country will be looking forward to this time of year as an opportunity to hit the road and enjoy the brighter, warmer weather.

To really make the most of your springtime getaways and days out, it’s a good idea to check that your car is in good condition, so you don’t have to worry about breakdowns or mechanical issues ruining your fun.

Here are some of the best steps you can take to get your vehicle ready for spring driving:

Give it a good clean

The chances are your car has collected a lot of dirt, mud and general grime over the winter months. It’s a good idea to give it a thorough clean before going on any spring drives.

It’s particularly beneficial to clean off road salt, which is corrosive and can cause rust if it’s left on the bodywork. Don’t neglect the undercarriage when cleaning your car, since this area attracts some of the most dirt, but be careful not to use soap or chemicals that could affect mechanical parts.

Check the wiper blades

Wiper blades get a lot of use during the winter but still need to be in good working condition for the rainy spring months.

Firstly, check the wipers to see if they are worn down or damaged to the point that they need replacing. If they’re still usable, give them a good clean so they can be relied on to keep your windscreen clear over the spring months without causing any damage.

Top up your washer fluid

Spring may herald a welcome improvement in the weather, but it can also bring things that make a mess of your windscreen, such as insects and pollen in the air.

Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up so you can keep the glass clear at all times and drive safely. This will also help you keep your vehicle clean so you don’t undo all the hard work of your post-winter car wash.

Check your brakes and tyres

Checking that your brakes work properly and your tyres meet basic safety specifications is important at any time of the year, but it can be particularly crucial after the winter months. Your car’s brakes and tyres probably had to deal with some difficult conditions over the winter, so you want to know they’re still safe and roadworthy.

If you’re concerned that the tread depth on your tyres is too low or your brake pads have worn down, head to a garage to get your car checked as soon as possible.

Have a look at the engine

Mud, leaves and all sorts of other things can gather in a car’s engine during the winter, so take a look under the bonnet to clear out any dirt and debris before spring driving.

This will help you maintain engine health, and also give you a chance to top up your oil, antifreeze and water, if necessary.

If you want to have confidence in your car’s safety and reliability throughout the year, MyService.Expert from Fuelcard Services can help by providing access to more than 4,500 garages nationwide.

UK drivers should always be prepared for the threat of bad weather during the winter months.

One of the best things you can do to cope with difficult conditions is ensure that your vehicle is properly serviced and maintained.

This could prove particularly important over the coming weekend (January 11th and 12th), following Met Office warnings of strong winds and heavy rain.

‘Danger to life’

Forecasters have warned that the high winds and downpours due to hit the UK could pose a “danger to life”.

Five separate weather alerts were issued for Friday and Saturday, while commuters in Scotland and northern England were warned of travel disruption resulting from snow, ice and rainfall on Thursday morning.

Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern explained: “All this weather is being brought about by an active jet stream at the moment stretching across the Atlantic acting as a giant conveyor belt, throwing all sorts of weather towards the UK.”

If you’re a regular driver, it’s vital to take the right precautions so you’re prepared for rain, wind and any other conditions.

Vehicle upkeep

Carrying out basic checks and maintenance on your car will help you to stay safe on the roads when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

One of the most important things to do is check the tread depth on your tyres, which UK law states should be at least 1.6mm across the circumference of the tyre.

If your tyres don’t have the proper tread depth, it will limit your car’s ability to grip to the road, which can be particularly dangerous in wet conditions.

It’s also advisable to check your brakes, since you will need them to be in good condition to drive safely in bad weather. If your brakes feel soft or make a grinding noise when applied, the brake pads might need replacing.

If you have driven through deep puddles or floodwater during periods of bad weather, check your brakes afterwards to ensure they’re still functioning properly.

MyService.Expert from Fuelcard Services can help you ensure your car is ready to tackle challenging conditions with regular maintenance and servicing at thousands of garages nationwide.