My car

basic preparation

• Introduction
• Be prepared
• Reference books
• Tools
• A suitable place to work
• Be smart about safety

introduction

Do you really need a fist full of dollars and a mountain of electronic and diagnostic machinery to know what's going on with your car? With some basic preparation and a suitable space in which to work, the answer is no.

Despite all the plumbing and wiring under the bonnet of the average modern car, the fundamentals have remained the same. There are still some basic things the average car owner can and should do to take better car of their car. Even if you do not intend to service or work on the car yourself, having an understanding of what is required can help avoid problems and allow you to better explain and discuss things with your mechanic.

Apart from the traffic jams, the two most frustrating or worrying aspects of motoring are probably the chance of breaking down and not being able to do anything about it and the cost of repairs and maintenance.

Getting to know your car and spending a little time and money on preventative maintenance can have significant safety benefits and result in huge savings in the long term.

While the focus is on the engine, there is also handy advice on how to change a wheel LINK and how to look after the rest of the car, including the gearbox, and clutch, wheels and tyres, the lights and wipers.

Some things on your car need more attention than others so it is presented in three key sections:

This information isn't intended to be a substitute for regular inspections and tuning by a qualified mechanic, but basic car maintenance is not beyond the average car owner.

Fixing brakes is deliberately avoided. There are some things on your car that should not be tampered with by the amateur mechanic; it could be deadly if you mess up a job like brake repairs, so it is recommended that you don't touch those jobs. If you are at all worried about your brakes, call an expert. The same applies to electricals; it's too easy to get something wrong and make your car dangerous and unroadworthy or cause expensive damage.

Whenever you drive your car, open the bonnet for servicing or regular checks, keep your eyes peeled:

be prepared

You will need:

• reference books
• tools
• a suitable space to work
• to be smart about safety

reference books

• One thing that's common to all cars is the owner's handbook. Chances are it hasn't left the glove box since you first bought the car. Dig it out because it relates specially to your car and is a guidebook to the entire vehicle. This is one of the best resources available for basic jobs. It provides specifications, procedures and will help you find various items. 
• If you want to go a bit further, you can LINK buy a workshop manual for just about every make and model of car.

tools

For most jobs all you really need is a basic toolkit. Chances are you will have most of the essentials at home already - such as screwdrivers, sockets, spanners, a hammer and pliers.

• There are one or two other things that might come in handy, such as a powerful light with a good long lead so you can see the darkest corner of the engine bay and underneath the car. A torch can also be useful for some jobs but it does not replace a powerful light.
• It is a good idea, before starting work, to visit your local auto parts supplier and pick up all the spare parts you might need: oil, fan belts, radiator hoses, spark plugs, fuses and light globes. But be sure the parts you buy are designed for your make and model.

a suitable place to work

To work on your car, you will need a garage or workshop. Only some of the smaller jobs can be completed in a driveway.

• Before you start, tidy the place up a bit so that you can see where you are going. Every good workshop should be clean and tidy with everything in its proper place.
• You need a decent bench or table near the car for easy access to tools and parts while you're working.

be smart about safety

Remember, always think safety first; it is better to err on the side of caution.

• Invest in a pair of overalls - old work clothes may be okay for the garden but in the garage, loose buttons or sleeves or ties might get caught.
• And the same goes for long hair. If you have long hair, tie it back or wear a cap or you risk serious and horrifying injury.
• Remove any jewellery, as it can be easily caught on engine parts. If your jewellery touches a live electrical point and an earth, such as the car's body, the surge of electrical current will almost instantaneously heat up and melt the item, which will cause a serious burn.
• You may need to work under the car occasionally so what do you do? Invest in a set of axial stands or ramps, or both of these. Jacks, stands and ramps should be of good quality, of course, and always place the stand under a strong, solid point not under potential weak spots such as the floor, suspension or steering parts. Never jack a car up and climb underneath and definitely do not prop the car up on bricks. If you work under a car that is supported by a jack or bricks, you are flirting with death. Find out the correct way to jack up a car LINK.
• It is worth buying a fire extinguisher and storing it in front of the driver's seat. 
• There are a few other common sense safety tips to bear in mind too which are mentioned throughout the following advice.