6 replies to this topic

[Dom]

how often should you check things on your car and what to check for?

e.g. tyre tread, checking the oil etc

[Jordie]

you SHOULD REALLY check tyres, lights, water, oil, washer liquid each time u drive.

I would check tyres once a week, oil/water every couple of days. Lights probally once a month.

Balljoints should be greased, fan belt checked for wear/tightness, plugs and HT leads checked, filters, oil change etc every couple of months or 3000miles whichever comes 1st.

I always forget to check mine, but i have started to do it more often now.

Doh, dont forget brake pads and fluid, handbrake travel and rear shoes!

[miniman5]

we dont drive ours much but i check it once a week i check

should check tyres but there brand new so got a few years yet lol
Oil
water in the rad
wheel nuts are tight i lernt from my mistake! lol
make sure all the lights work
make sure nothing is visualy rong
ohh and put the fury dice in!

theres probaly more that i have over looked...

ohh i always grease my nipples every few months

[Jordie]

should check tyres but there brand new so got a few years yet lol

Tyres do deteriate. You say you dont drive your car often. if you leave the car for a long period on time, the tires form "a flat spot" and then when your driving you full a judder. I know my mini was stood and the tyres were fecked, causing one to explode on motorway @ 70mph.

And the rubber in the walls can crack and become dangerous if driven.

Also, i doubt the tyres will last years with proper driving.

[miniman5]

yea i no but they have been omn trhe car a mater of weeks lol we go out in it once a week any way and we go for a fair distance to it aint like its kept out in the rain and snow and other crud of the road as well

[Purple Tom]

I agree with Jordie really. Most things should be done once a week. You get to know your car too, you know what its oil consumption is like, if it uses any water (or gets hot occasionally and spits it out the overflow) etc etc.

I used to base my checks around this, so with the 1098 I checked and refilled the oil and water about every 10 minutes, but the 1275 I did it about once a week or so.

Other bits and bobs like fan belt tension should be an automatic thing whenever you have the bonnet up, do a visual check of the engine bay, grab the wheels and check for play, and grease balljoints and radius arms about once a month, at the same time adjusting the rear brakes and checking things underneath (handbrake cable/brake pipes/fuel lines/battery cable).

Like I said, you know your car, and unless it starts to behave strangely then you should be able to base servicing and checks around this.

Tom

[MiniMoi]

Well I may be a bit lazy, but I check all the lights like once in the 2/3 months. Check oil every 500km since it likely needs bit than. Check water at the same time. Washer fluid when it is running empty.

Things I do check while I am driving are the fuel and to see if it is running at normal temps.

Whenever I check my tire pressure which is every 2/3 weeks I check the tires for visual damage. Like dried out or bumbs from hitting a sidewalk or curb.

MiniMoi