Blog

DIY maintenance Part 2

13 November 2020

­Playing your part in road safety

If you lift the bonnet on any modern car you may be daunted by its complexity. Vehicles are not as easy to maintain at home these days like they may have been in years past. However, there are still numerous basic checks you can conduct that may save you a lot of money and hassle, and keep you safer during your commute.

Wipers. Being caught in a storm with non-optimum wipers is seriously dangerous. So, check the function of your windscreen wipers, including any variable speed settings available. Replace the rubber blades if they are hard or worn.

Seatbelts. Seatbelts are lifesavers and should be in optimum condition. Conduct a visual check of seatbelts for any fraying, and that they withdraw and retract as they should. Next, ensure all seatbelts click in securely. If not, have a specialist check and repair or replace them immediately.  

Engine coolant. Regular check-ups of coolant levels are essential for the health of your vehicle. Without a sufficient amount of coolant, it’s possible your car could overheat and cause significant engine damage. If topping-up is necessary, wait until the engine is cold. Slowly unscrew the expansion tank cap to release any pressure present in the cooling system and remove it. Check your owner’s manual to select the correct coolant for your vehicle, and top up until the level reaches the maximum mark on the expansion tank.

Conducting these simple checks at home will help keep you and other road users safe. If you need assistance, take your car to your local VACC repairer.


Words: VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym. As featured in the Herald Sun 13 November 2020.

Previous Article New VACC HQ build begins
Next Article More than meets the eye

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Message:
x