How do I know the best engine oil for my car?
There are so many different makes, types and grades of oil that buying a new one can be a daunting process for car owners. Here we demystify choosing an oil…
Category: Maintenance
Top tips to make looking after your car easy. Find out how to choose the best oil, check your motor before a long trip and change its windscreen wipers
How much oil does my car need? How do I check and top up my engine oil?
The easiest way to find out how much oil a car needs for an oil change is to look in the user manual. Most regular family cars in the UK…
How much AdBlue does my car need? How do I add AdBlue and will I know when the tank’s full?
AdBlue is designed to reduce harmful exhaust emissions from diesel engines. If your car runs out of it, the engine won’t start. Here we answer how you fill your car…
Which engine coolant do I choose for my car?
It’s important to know which engine coolant to choose for your car. Coolant is vital to keep your car running properly so it’s worth checking and if necessary topping it…
My Audi dealer says company standards insist on replacement brake pads at 10mm of wear. What is the legal minimum for brake pads?
Our reader was horrified when he took his Audi A5 into a dealer and it said he needed replacement brake pads. It then revealed that his brake pads had 10mm…
How do I stop an engine overheating?
Back in the day it was common to see cars stopped roadside, bonnet up, steam pouring from an overly hot engine. Overheating is less common now but it does still…
Why are EVs cheaper to maintain than petrol cars? And by how much over their life?
It’s true that electric vehicles (EVs) tend to be cheaper to maintain than the equivalent petrol or diesel models. And over a lifetime they can work out much cheaper. We…
What is car screenwash made of and can I make my own to save money?
We’ve seen various hacks with people suggesting you can make your own car screenwash to keep your windscreen clean and save money. Here we look at whether that makes sense…
Can I supply the garage with my own spare parts to fix my car?
Increasing numbers of people are struggling to pay their car maintenance bills. One way some drivers think they can save money is to source spare parts cheaply to fix a…
I read that changing brake fluid is easy to do yourself. Is this true?
We see a lot of advice from supposed experts making all sorts of outlandish claims. That changing brake fluid is a simple DIY job is one of these. And because…