Genius Advice

Air conditioning
As air conditioning becomes more common in India, you have yet another fluid level to check. You should run your air conditioning at least once a week, and not just when the weather is hot, to help maintain it.

Vehicle manufacturers recommend servicing air-conditioning systems every two years. A fully functional system brings you several major benefits:

    * Ensures that correct temperatures are being reached.
    * Reduces pollen and pollution entering your car.
    * Saves you money.
    * Reduces the amount of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere.
    * Increases the life of your vehicle's air conditioning system.
    * A useful tip in winter is to run the air conditioning to prevent your windscreen misting up.

Air filter
Air filters are inexpensive, but when they get dirty they can reduce your fuel economy by an appreciable amount, and result in a fine for failing a roadside emissions test. Dirty air filters should be replaced or cleaned as soon as possible. It's an easy job to do but check the handbook if you are unsure, or alternatively take it to a garage.

Battery
Most batteries have "maintenance free" stamped on them, and you won't ever have to check the electrolyte level. If your battery is not "maintenance free", you should unscrew the plastic caps and check the level of the liquid inside (electrolyte). If it is low, top it up with distilled water, not tap water. You should also check the condition of the terminals. If they are corroded, take off the wires (negative off first and back on last), clean up with a wire brush and grease with Vaseline or normal grease to prevent corrosion returning. Remember, batteries contain strong acid and you must always be cautious when checking and removing them.

Brakes
For your own safety, it is important to check your brake pads or shoes. These components are made from a heat-resistant friction material, which deteriorates due to being clamped against the disc or pushed against the drum when the brakes are applied. Also check for fluid leaks caused by damaged brake hoses or worn seals which could result in brake failure. A telltale sign that your brake pads are wearing unevenly is that your car will have a tendency to pull to one side when you brake, and you should get them checked.

Clutch
On a hydraulic clutch, fluid ensures the clutch operates smoothly and helps prevent wear and tear. If you feel that under acceleration, the engine revs build up faster than the car is actually accelerating, it may mean your clutch is wearing out. If this happens, get it checked as soon as possible - worn clutches eventually fail which means you will not be able to change gear. So it pays to check your clutch fluid level and ensure it is replaced as recommended by the vehicle handbook. This will help to keep costs down and your car running safely.

The best way to keep the running cost of your car minimal is to maintain your car effectively. Cars do not look after themselves and parts do wear out due to the extreme conditions and pressures they operate within. However, if you carry out regular checks on your car, you can extend the life of certain parts and ensure your car runs reliably. Always ensure you have your car serviced as recommended in the drivers manual. Failure to do so may lead to excessive wear on your vehicle, leading to breakdowns and expensive repairs. Failing to have your car serviced may also mean that parts critical to safety are not checked, which can be dangerous.

Fan belt
If your fan belt starts slipping (you will definitely know when you hear the squeal!), it may not be tensioned properly. At best this could result in your battery going flat through not being recharged, and at worst, it could fail to operate your cooling fan, resulting in serious and expensive damage due to the engine overheating.