From party frocks to invites and Christmas cocktails, we've got everything you need to throw a fabulous party
5 basic car maintenance tips
Looking after your car isn't exactly rocket science, and a bit of TLC for your car will not only save you money, but it will keep you safer too
Tip 1: If you ain't broke, don't fix it
If you're lucky enough to have a new car, remember that it's covered by a three-year warranty. If you suspect something isn't right, take it into a dealer and ask them to check it out; they'll almost certainly fix it for free. This cover applies to the car, not just the original buyer, so you can make use of it even if you haven't had the car from new. And make a note of when the three years are up; the cost of extending the warranty is usually reasonable, and the peace of mind is invaluable.
Shop around for quotes on breakdown cover and carefully compare the level of cover you're getting - it's always a price worth paying. Getting your car recovered can be horrifically expensive otherwise, and the patrolman can often fix it for free. Remember that most policies cover you and not just your car, so keep the emergency number on your phone and not just in your glovebox. If you're a passenger when a friend's car breaks down, you can still use your policy.
Tip 2: Prevention is better than cure
Getting your car serviced regularly is the best way to avoid problems; modern cars need little attention between trips to the professionals. Not keeping your car's service history up to date can ruin its value, so find the service book, see how often it needs done and don't forget when the next one's due.
Tip 3: Getting your hands dirty
There are only three things you need to bother with under the bonnet, and they're all fluids.
- Windscreen wash: the only one likely to need topped up between services. Buy some from the garage, mix with water according to the instructions on the bottle, then use your cars handbook to find where to pour it in. Top up regularly and maybe keep some in the boot too, as being unable to clean your screen on a dirty road is an utter nightmare.
1 | 2 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
