Car Maintenance Tips No.1

Checking Engine coolant (antifreeze) :

Step 1: Make sure your engine is off and cool

Step 2: Locate the engine coolant reservoir cap

Step 3: Slowly remove the cap – loosen it first and step back while the pressure releases, then remove it completely

Step 4: If the fluid level in the coolant recovery reservoir is below the cold fill range marked on the side, add a 50/50 mixture of Motorcraft® engine coolant and distilled water – do not add it directly to the radiator (Note: In an emergency, you can add straight water as long as you have it flushed and replace it with the proper mixture as soon as possible)

Step 5: Replace the cap and tighten it fully.

Step 6: Fluid loss can cause major damage to the engine, so visit your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership as soon as possible for an engine check

Windshield wipers :

During harsh weather conditions, you’ll find this particular car part extremely important. Keep the weather, sleet and snow away with your well-maintained windshield wipers.

When you find that residual rain, acid or whatnot, has created stains on your windshield, wash them off and wipe them clean with your vehicle’s handy wipers. Sometimes these stains can be a bit harder to remove, so you might need to pull over and give your ride a well-deserved wipe-down.

Worst case scenario: a pigeon or some other animal has decided to relieve itself on your vehicle’s windshield. Normally, you would have the time to head to the nearest car wash, but this particular instance requires you to drive with these obstructive materials stuck to your vehicle. Wipe them down quickly and let your windshield wiper and its fluid do the rest.

windshield wiper fluid :

Step 1: Check your owner’s manual to find the precise location of your windshield fluid reservoir.

Step 2: Find the right fluid mixture that you’re supposed to use for your vehicle’s windshield fluid reservoir.

Step 3: Prop up your hood and check out your windshield fluid reservoir. Outside the tank, you’re going to find markings that indicate the amount of fluid left in the reservoir.

Step 4: If you find that the tank is more than half-full then close the hood. If not, proceed to step 5.

Step 5: Remove the cap. The cap is usually situated on top of the tank.

Step 6: Add the right washer fluid mixture into the tank until the correct level indicated on the markings or your owner’s manual.

Step 7: Pop the cap back on and close your vehicle’s hood.

Top Tips for Buying Your First Car

Buying your first car is an exciting experience, but it can also be an intimidating one too. A car is an expensive purchase, and if you’re new to the world of vehicles in general, then you may find yourself imagining all the things that could go wrong. The following tips will help you to make a good decision when you go shopping for your first car.

1. Buy from a dealer: If you’re not confident when it comes to checking out cars, ask around to find a reputable dealer, and buy from them. That way, all the safety and security issues are covered and you can be sure that the car a) isn’t stolen, and b) is safe to drive.
2. Take a test drive: Arrange to test drive nay vehicle you’re interested in. Make sure you start the car from cold – if the engine has been warmed up for you, then that might mask problems with the car.
3. Avoid auctions: Auctions do offer some huge bargains, but they can be risky for novices. It’s best to get some driving (and car maintenance) experience under your belt before you go to an auction.
4. Choose Something Small: Car insurance can be expensive if you’ve only just passed your test. If you aren’t made of money, then swallow your pride and opt for a small, low cost car until you have some time with no claims under your belt. You can always look at car registration numbers to spice up your ride. You can take your cherished number plates from car to car, so when you do buy that BMW you’ll have something to remember your first car by.
5. Avoid modifications: Just as a big engine can add to your premiums, a heavily modified car can also increase your premiums. Not only will the cost of insuring the car increase, cars with visual modifications are more likely to be broken into. It’s not worth the risk.
6. Take a friend with you: Whether you’re buying privately or from a dealer, ask a friend to come along with you. If they’re knowledgeable, they’ll be able to help you out with bartering or selecting a car, and even if they’re not knowledgeable, they can keep you grounded and stop you handing over money for a car you don’t really want.

Remember, you first car is probably going to be a temporary car. You can always upgrade to something bigger, more powerful, or flashier once you’ve got some road experience and no-claims bonus under your belt. If you want to add personality to your first car, get some personalised car registration numbers, some leather seats, or a nice sound system. Your cherished number plates and other modifications can follow you from vehicle to vehicle. It makes no sense to pay a fortune for a car when you’re still learning. Something small and simple will give you the freedom to gain road confidence without worrying about damaging the engine or scratching your paint job!

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of The Plate Market, who offer car registration numbers and cherished number plates for sale.
Amy is soon to buy her first car, but is going to go about it cautiously.