Seasonal Car Advice

Prepare your vehicle, top up your screen wash and check functioning before setting off. This includes checking that your lights are working. 

Check your engine oil, sufficient oil helps regulate the temperature of your engine for long journeys.

 

How often should I change my oil?

• The type of oil you use: Conventional oil breaks down more quickly than synthetic oil, so you will need to change it more often.
• The make and model of your car: Some cars require more frequent oil changes than others. Check your owner's manual for the specific recommendations for your vehicle.
• Your driving habits: If you drive in dusty or stop-and-go conditions, you will need to change your oil more often. This is because the dust and debris in the air can contaminate the oil and cause it to break down more quickly.
• The type of fuel you use: If you use premium fuel, you may be able to extend the interval between oil changes. This is because premium fuel contains detergents that help to clean the engine and keep the oil clean.

It is important to change your oil at the recommended intervals to keep your engine running smoothly and prevent costly repairs.

Checking the tread depth of your tyres is very important. Research indicates the most tyres on the road are either under inflated or below the legal limit of 1.6mm tread depth.
 
It is recommended that you check your tyres every two weeks or before you make any long journeys. We are on hand to assist you with a tyre health check should you need us to, and we can advise the correct approved tyre for your car if a replacement is required.

Rotating your tyres helps to ensure that they wear evenly. This is especially important if you have driven a lot in the winter on snow and ice.

A good car wash can help to remove any dirt, salt, or grime that may have accumulated on your car during the winter and help to avoid the advance of rust on your vehicle.

Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition. They will likely have been used a lot over the winter months, if they squeak when they wipe or they are leaving streaks they are likely to need replacing.

Keep a pack of essentials, just in case: Screen wash top-up, top-up oil, phone charger, spare tyre/tyre sealant and adblue. A blanket and torch is also advisable. 

Your Air Conditioning requires regassing every 2 years as 10-15% is used before it’s even turned on.

Having your Air Conditioning re-gassed decontaminates your system, removes any bacteria that could potentially filter back through and be released into your car.

You should maintain your Air Conditioning even in the colder months as it helps demist your windows quicker.

A clean Air Conditioning system reduces emissions as dirty or damaged air filters reduce the air flow to the engine affecting the cars air fuel balance.

Replacing a clogged air filter can increase fuel efficiency improving acceleration

Not regassing your Air Conditioning will leave it less efficient and less effective when you want to cool down or demist your windows.

A healthy battery should last at least 2 weeks without needing to be started up to re-charge (this may reduce in colder temperatures), try to avoid excessive “wake-ups” of your car’s electrical system and avoid locking/unlocking or switching on the ignition without driving the car.

If you have any questions or issues regarding your battery, please contact your local Lloyd Service Centre who will be happy to help. 

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