Quentin Willson's guide to DIY Servicing Introduction

With pressure on the pocket, we’re all trying to save a few quid and research shows that many people aren’t servicing their cars as often as they used to. While cutting back on garage bills might seem like an understandable economy, it can store up problems for later.

Without regular oil changes your car’s engine will wear out quicker. If you don’t check the cooling system you could over heat in traffic. Neglect your motor too much and eventually you’ll break down or be driving around in unsafe wheels. Skimping on maintenance is a short-term economy that can lead to long-term expense and danger.

That’s why Castrol and I have put together this simple, easy to understand guide on how to keep your car running sweetly and safely at home. DIY Credit Crunch Car Care is a lot easier than you think. And you’ll be really surprised how much you can save.

When to call in the professionals:

Sure, there are big jobs that you can’t do at home. Brakes, suspension, exhausts, steering, gearbox, rear axle or major electrical repairs should always be left to the professionals. There are a number of national chains that will change your oil and filter, replace brake pads, exhaust or shock absorbers for a very reasonable price. And can give you free, impartial advice on the condition of the oily bits you can see.

What you can do yourself:

But with a little patience, planning (and a workshop manual) even the most clueless car owner should be able to keep their car’s vital fluids, lights, tyres, wipers, screen washer and cooling system topped up and working well – potentially saving you hundreds of pounds in labour rates. And while most garages do a fine and professional job, there’s lots you can do yourself to reduce the cost of a routine 10,000 mile oil service and inspection from around £200 to as little as £70. A couple of hours with a decent handbook and you should at least be able to visually check the majority of things that would be inspected during a routine service.

Make sure you buy the correct oil:

Castrol’s free WAP service provides a bespoke recommendation for your car – just text OIL to 83080*, input your registration number and you’ll get a text back with information about the right oil to use for your car. You can take this and the correct oil filter along to your local garage and they’ll change them as well as inspect the suspension, brakes, steering and exhaust for you. You’ll be getting a routine service for less than a hundred quid. And best of all, you’ll have learnt a new set of car care skills that will make you enormously popular with family and friends. Because knowing how to look after cars is actually quite cool.

*By texting OIL to 83080 (UK and NI) or 57778 (ROI) you can input your car’s registration number and receive a best oil recommendation for your car. You also receive the corresponding pack shot image to make identifying the product easier in store.