If the Check Engine Light is on constantly during driving but you can’t notice any difference with how the car drives, it usually means that there’s a permanent fault in the emission control system.

When this happens, the computer that controls the emission system usually has a backup program that runs while the fault is present. (These backup programs are often referred to as “limp home” mode programs.)

This depends on the year of your vehicle. High-quality petrol does get you that bit further and your car runs a lot better. If you put cheaper fuels in some European cars, it causes the check engine light to come on.

Tyre rotation should be done every 10,000km. The main reason for this is to share the wear and tear equally on each tyre. Tyre wear normally occurs more on the front tyres so by rotating them you can make sure that you always have the best tyres on the front. Good front tyres mean you’ll have the best steering at all times. Make sure that wheel alignment is checked each time you get your car serviced.

Oil manufacturers recommend having the oil change every 6 months or 10,000 km whichever is reached first. This is because oil is used to wash the inside of the engine to prevent dirt from building up and restricting wear on different components. The heat and chemicals produced from combustion break down the oil.

However, the frequency required can vary depending on how the vehicle is used. Manufacturers typically have a clause about adverse or severe conditions, these include things like driving in stop-start traffic, high-speed driving, country driving, driving in dusty conditions or in hot areas, and not using your vehicle. If this is you then you might need to look at getting your car serviced more frequently.

Ensure that all lights are off and doors are closed properly. Batteries normally last up to 4 years, any older than that and you may get caught out. During a service (assuming it’s done correctly), batteries should be load tested and checked for signs of failure.

Most tasks performed on your vehicle will need to be done by a trained technician. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your car in peak condition.

Check when servicing is required – try not to go over the recommended parameters (6 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first) Keep the correct pressure in your tyres and don’t forget to check your spare Check the engine oil level on level ground. If topping up ensure that the correct oil goes in your engine. If you get it wrong, problems will start. Always check for unexplained puddles under your vehicles like oil or coolant and get your car checked if you find any Have any strange noises investigated

All vehicles need to be driven, at least once a fortnight. This will help keep flat spots off the tyres and make sure that the petrol doesn’t go stale. Stale petrol can result in damage to different car parts. Regular servicing is also important. Oil and brake fluid coolant wears out by just sitting there.

Best to get it checked over by a workshop. There are lots of things that can breakdown even when a car isn’t being used. Oil leaks can occur, coolant leaks, animals can find their way under the bonnet, tyres go out of date usually around 6 years, petrol goes stale and can damage the fuel pump.

Most warranties won’t cover wear and tear of a vehicle and they don’t cover normal servicing. However, if its a new vehicle the warranty will cover manufacturing faults and any damage that’s occurred as a result of the fault.

We’ve had situations where a client have brought their vehicle in for a service check over because something didn’t seem right, only to find faults that weren’t picked up by the dealer!