Do you know what lies beneath the bonnet of your car?
Driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive is this week advising on checking under your bonnet as a recent poll in the UK showed that 70 percent of people there struggle to complete simple maintenance tasks like checking a vehicle's oil levels. We're sure the result would be the same in any such poll here in Ireland.
Their advice on fluid level checks is:
* Use your dipstick to check the oil level by first parking your car on level ground. Then remove qand clean the dipstick, dip it back in and check where the oil comes up to.
* If your oil needs topping up, try not to over fill as this can cause excessive pressure in that area of the engine as well as oil leaks.
* Avoid mixing different kinds of oil - check your owners' handbook to find the correct oil for your car.
* Your washer fluid will usually be in a white container, through which you should be able to see what level the fluid comes to. This can be topped up with washer fluid or water, but must be at least 50 percent washer fluid in winter.
* Wait until your vehicle has completely cooled before checking the engine coolant level - ensure that the liquid is not below the cold indicator line to avoid overheating and damage.
During the winter months, the thought of sheltering under your bonnet from the pouring rain to check your car's fluid levels is not a pleasant one. Rain or shine, it is important to keep your fluid levels in check, as well as your lights, tyres and windscreen wipers.
