1. REPAIRED. PAINTED. POLISHED. PERFECTION. SAFETY TIPS AND ADVICE AX WELWYN: CAR BODY REPAIRS

2. How safe is your car? Driving for all of us can be enjoyable but also dangerous if you don’t maintain your vehicles on a regular basis. You could be putting yourself and others at risk if the following checks are not carried out regularly. These checks will keep you and your family safe and could save you money. Remember your B.O.W.T.I.E.

3. B odywork It’s really important to keep your cars bodywork in great condition, if you have any dents, scratches or damage to your vehicle it is best to have your car repaired as soon as possible before rust sets in. Contact our experts for repairs and paint work as soon as you can for a free estimate. If you are selling your vehicle the condition of the bodywork is the first thing the buyer will notice, remember first impressions count. A trained eye can spot poor quality repairs and tell the difference between a well maintained vehicle and an unloved one. Washing your car weekly using a shampoo designed specifically for vehicles will protect and condition the paintwork, read the instructions to ensure it’s suitable for your paint finish. Repeat for your alloy wheels, a vehicle with a gleaming exterior will definitely will be more desirable than a filthy vehicle.

4. O il Check your oil monthly and before any long journeys. Make sure your car is on level ground and if you have just been on a long journey allow the engine to cool down first before removing the dipstick. Once cool, wipe the dipstick with a tissue to remove the oil, dip back into the oil tank and out making sure the oil is sitting in between maximum and minimum. Never allow the oil to sit above maximum or below minimum this could cause irreparable damage to your engine.

5. W indscreen Poor visibility on a dirty windscreen will increase your risk of being involved in a car accident. If you check your windscreen on a regular basis and notice any small chips or cracks you should visit a windscreen repair centre as soon as possible. They will advise you whether it can be repaired or if you’ll need to replace your windscreen. Do not ignore it or this will lead to further cracking across your screen. Keep your windscreen as clean as possible, ensure you use a good screen wash throughout the year as water alone will not clear the built up grime. Antifreeze is great during the winter months and it is a legal requirement that your system works. What condition are your wipers in? If they smear debris across your screen or are worn down they will need replacing as soon as possible. To ensure the durability and performance of your wipers these should be replaced on a yearly basis.

6. T yres The pressure in your tyres is very important and should be checked every 2 weeks or sooner especially if you feel something isn’t quite right. To check what the right amount of pressure should be for your vehicle read your cars manual, check inside your petrol flap or on a sticker inside the front doors closing panels. Visit the nearest garage or use a good quality gauge. If you find the tyre pressure is dropping in any of your tyres quickly this is a sign of a slow puncture and will need replacing. Always ensure your spare tyre is fully inflated. Regularly check for any cuts in your tyre walls and tyre tread, your tyre tread should be no less than 1.6mm across the central. Driving with worn or damaged tyres can invalidate your car insurance and you are at risk of being fined up to £2500.00.

7. I nterior We all spend a lot of time in our vehicles and keeping it clean inside is simple and should be done weekly. Cleaning and vacuuming the interior will hold the value of your vehicle when you come to trade it in or sell it. The interior should have all its functions working properly, if not this is a must before you consider selling it. Ideally the interior will require a shampoo every 3 months.

8. E ngine The engine coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze which keeps your engine cool. Only check the coolant when your engine is cool, if you check whilst the engine has been running you risk scalding your skin from the hot fluid that escapes from the pressure of the radiator. Once your engine has cooled place a cloth over the cap and slowly release it to let the pressure escape slowly. Fill up the coolant but do not exceed the maximum otherwise when the engine is started it will blow the excess out. If the coolant touches your skin it will burn and if it comes into contact with your paintwork it’ll damage it, remove it immediately. If the coolant becomes too low it will cause your engine to overheat which can cause severe damage. Never be tempted to add cold water to an overheated engine. If you are unsure where the engine coolant tank is open your cars manual to locate it. Never ignore any warning signs, if your cars gauges say your car is too hot or the oil pressure is too low visit a repair maintenance garage as soon as you can.

9. AX Welwyn: 9 Mundells Court, Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire, AL7 1EN 01707 375914 weloveyourcars.com www.axgroup.net www.faceook.com/axwelwyn www.twitter.com/weloveyourcars axwelwyn