If you’re a new driver, you’ll be thrilled to finally be out on the road. Getting your license is a major milestone, and owning your first car is your reward. You’ll be wanting to go here, there, and everywhere – happy to be the designated driver or personal taxi for your friends and family, just to get some practice in. While passing your test means you’re competent, learning how to be a great driver comes with time.
Beyond your skills as a driver, there’s also a lot you need to pay attention to in terms of your car itself. You’ll know about the very basics, of course, but there are most certainly elements you’re unclear on. In this short article, you’ll learn about three essentials you might not have considered yet.
1. Tyres
Checking your tyres is one of the most important elements of car maintenance, and many people don’t know how to do it properly. Worn treads can be dangerous, and improper pressure can cause serious handling issues.
To check for pressure, you’ll need a tyre pressure gauge and your car’s recommended level, which is measured in PSI (Pound-Force per Square Inch). For tread depth, the legal minimum is 1.6mm, and you can use a 20p coin to check if yours is too far gone.
For any damage to your wheels or tyres, you want to have an expert in this specific area of the car to make the repair (someone like Tyres Central, for example).
2. Dashboard Warning Lights
Worryingly, many people don’t know what all the dashboard warning lights mean on their vehicle. The lights can indicate everything from minor faults to major risks, though sometimes, one comes on for seemingly no reason, and even your mechanic can’t figure it out. In these instances, taking your car to an auto electrician may be in order. Depending on the car you drive it can sometimes be tricky to find the right parts, for example if you drive an old imported Nissan like a Sylvia or Skyline for example then finding the right Nissan parts for your specific model in your country can be a struggle. If you drive a more unusual car like this then be prepared to search for good car dealers and companies to find them.
Dashboard indicators are mostly universal across all models, but there might be slight variations from make to make. There’s a fair amount to learn, so it’s critical to familiarise yourself with each of them using your user manual.
3. Fluid Levels
As you’ll know, your car requires a variety of fluids to maintain working order. What you may not know are the requirements for your specific vehicle.
Knowing how to change your car’s oil is essential, as dirty oil can result in severe engine damage if left over a long period. You’ll also need to understand how the cooling system works in your car, knowing how much coolant is required and what type. A slip-up here could result in overheating.
Then you have brake fluid, windscreen washer fluid, and so on, each of which plays a vital role in keeping your car functional. Commit the model-dependent relationship between each of these to memory.
Wrapping Up
The above is by no means everything you need to know, but when there’s a lot to learn, taking in little bits at a time is the best approach. Be methodical with your learning without taking on too much at once; you’ll gradually learn what’s what over time, so try not to stress about it. Good luck!