Get to Know Your Vehicle BetterXTRONS Knowledge BaseEven with a lot of knowledge and research, there are some jobs that are better left to the professionals. There are, however, plenty of small ongoing jobs on your vehicle. These can be done by anyone, even if you don't know one end of a spark plug from the other. Below is a quick checklist to go over, whether your vehicle is sat idle for a long time, or you have a long, essential journey to undertake.BatteryWhile it seems obvious, batteries can run flat. If you are not using your car for an extended period of time, run your car’s engine for 15 minutes or so per week (OUTSIDE your garage!) to make sure your battery is topped up. While they can last much longer, the actual given lifespan of a car battery is only about 4-5 years, so do stay on top of it! It may also be worth keeping jump leads in your car, so a helpful stranger can assist you if all else fails.FuelBasic stuff, we know, but it’s surprisingly easy to run out of fuel, especially if the conditions are adverse, or you’re in an unfamiliar area. Always make sure you have plenty of fuel to undertake your journey, and don’t let penny pinching a few pence on a litre lead to you sitting helpless in a layby. Obviously if you have an electric vehicle, be sure your battery is charged adequately before setting off.FluidsThese can be easy to forget, but making a quick check on your oil, coolant and screen wash is very important. Not only can they turn a creaking car into one that feels supple, but running out of oil in particular can be catastrophic on the road. Similarly, having a dirty windscreen can lead to poor visibility, or even to you driving your car in a dangerous condition. Be sure to check these three fluids regularly.TyresRegularly check your tyre pressure, your car will thank you! If you don’t know your recommended tyre pressure off by heart, a quick google search should tell you everything you need to know. If your vehicle does not have one, we also sell TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) add-ons for our stereos, which will keep you informed about the status of your tyres.ElectronicsBeing, as we are, an in-car electronics company, we would be the first to recommend you check your electrics work. Front and rear lights, indicators, interior lights, and yes, your stereo. A simple check of these items indicates that your battery is in good order and all your wiring is connected properly. Make sure also that your numberplate light works, as it’s a legal requirement for it to be legible.For those who want to go deeper into this topic, an OBD2 scanner tool, which allows you to read engine codes and save engine data, could be your friend.We also have a range of spares available for the minor faults in your vehicle - switches, wires, bulbs, adapters and the like. Most of these will be easy fixes and can really help your drive feel more pleasurable -Of course, if you have a serious issue with your car, then please get in touch with the professionals - you can do more damage than good if you're not careful. However, getting to know the above aspects of your car will make sure it always runs sweetly, and you don't have any nasty surprises next time you turn the key.
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