A gentleman’s guide to car maintenance

Are you lacking an acceptable level of automotive know-how?

Of all the gentlemanly pursuits, perhaps the most leisurely is a drive. Slipping on your gloves and into your loafers, turning on the radio and going cruising in your car – be it a classic or a super – fills many a man with an unparalleled sense of relaxation, purpose and enjoyment.

But, given all the joy that those four wheels have given you, it only seems fair that you show them some love in return.

Car maintenance is a tricky business. With a steel shell covering most of the mechanics, there are those of us who simply forget that there is a motor to maintain under the bonnet. But neglect anything, from your oil level to your tyre pressure, and your car’s days are numbered.

There are, of course, many men who drive their cars daily but have little to no idea what is going on in the engine bay. These men are averse to rolling their sleeves up, against getting grease on their hands and the thought of wielding a tyre wrench is, to them, anathema. But these men are not gentleman.

A true gent knows how to service his motor, and treats his car, like he should, as an extension of himself. So, if you’re lacking an acceptable level of automotive know-how, take this gentleman’s guide for spin, and ensure that next time your car hits a bump in the road, that you’re in the driving seat.

It’s one of the most important parts of car maintenance, but many people haven’t checked an oil level since their driving test. The fact is, however, that burning oil or leaking oil can diminish the levels of this lubricant in your engine – and cause major damage.

Your bearings will be the first to go, and your crankshaft and connecting rods will end up welding together shorting after. So make sure, at least once a month, you open your bonnet, take out the dip stick and wipe it clean on a dust-free rag or paper towel. Then dip it back in, pull it out and check how far the oil has coated the stick.

If this level seems too low, it’s time to change your oil. This is a simple check that takes no time, but could save you a lot of trouble down the road – literally.

Statistically, over 90 per cent of cars in the road are driving around on inadequately-inflated tyres. Not only can this oversight compromise braking, stability and cornering control, but it can also lead to tyre failure.

You can buy a gauge or pump to check your tyre pressure, or use the machines at your local filling station. Minor leaks, changes in ambient temperature and friction between your wheels and the road can change your tyre pressure – so ensure that you check frequently, consulting the BAR/PSI rating on your tyre wall.

While you’re kneeling by your wheels, also check the tread depth on your tyre. With winter on its way and the chance of ice increasing, you need grip – so ensure that your tyres haven’t worn beyond use.

Being able to change a wheel is a key skill of any motorist. When stranded at the side of the road, you’ll be glad you have this in your arsenal, so read up.

Before jacking the car, get everybody out. Apply the handbrake and put the vehicle in gear. Next, chock the wheels on the side not being lifted and remove the hub cap to make the wheel nuts accessible.

Whilst the car is still on the ground, loosen the wheel nuts slightly, and then place the jack underneath the jacking point – consult your manual – and slowly raise the car, ensuring that you are on firm, flat ground.

Fully unscrew the nuts, remove the wheel and check the pressure of your spare. Lift the tyre into place, replace all the wheel nuts and tighten snugly – but not overly tightly. Lower the car and replace the hubcap. Even if you don’t have a puncture, it is advised that you rotate your tyres from time to time, and grease your wheel nuts.

To prevent smearing, and decreased visibility, you should replace your wiper blades at least once a year.

Turn your windscreen wipers on, and then turn off your car as they are mid-cycle and in the middle of your windscreen. Then gently lift the wiper arm away from the windscreen. If your wiper has a J-hook arm, depress the button tab on the connector clip and pull the blade out along the ‘J’ until it is free.

If you wipers have an old pin arm, use a small screwdriver to separate the blade from the adapter clip. Fit the new blades accordingly, lower the arms and test.

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