5 Car Maintenance Checks You Should Do Regularly
- Tyres (pressure, tread, condition)
- How: Check pressure and inspect tread across the width and the inner/outer shoulders; look for nails, cuts, bulges.
- When: Monthly and before long trips.
- Tip: Replace if tread is getting close to the legal minimum (varies by country, often ~1.5–1.6 mm); many people swap earlier at ~3 mm for wet grip. Don’t forget the spare.
- Engine oil level & condition
- How: Park level, engine off and cool. Pull the dipstick, wipe, reinsert, then check—oil should sit between MIN and MAX. Top up slowly with the exact grade in your manual.
- When: Monthly (or every 1–2 fuel fills) and before long trips.
- Red flags: Rapid drop in level, milky or gritty oil → get it checked.
- Coolant & other fluids
- How: Only when cold, check the coolant expansion tank is between MIN and MAX. Also glance at brake fluid (shouldn’t be below MIN), power steering (if hydraulic), and washer fluid.
- When: Monthly.
- Safety: If brake fluid is low or looks very dark, don’t just top it up—have the system inspected (it can indicate pad wear or a leak). Never open a hot radiator cap.
- Lights, indicators & wipers
- How: Walk around with lights on—headlights (low/high), DRLs, tails, brake lights, indicators, reverse, number-plate light. Spray the screen and run the wipers.
- When: Monthly and before night or bad-weather driving.
- Tip: Replace wiper blades yearly or if they streak/squeak; clean the inside of the windscreen too.
- Battery & under-bonnet look-over
- How: Check terminals are tight and free of white/blue corrosion; ensure the battery is secure. Quick scan for cracked/brittle hoses, loose belts, or any wet/oily spots.
- When: Every 3 months.
From quick checks to full servicing, Ultra Tune can take these off your to-do list! Visit www.ultratune.com.au to find your nearest centre!
