DRIVERS have been urged to carry out an easy five second petrol station check this winter to save themselves £3,250.
Anyone can do it and missing it out could leave you without a motor and picking up a massive bill.
Winter is very much on the way, with parts of the country set to see snow this week according to the Met Office.
As temperatures plunge everyone knows to wrap up warm, fiddle with the thermostat and break out the blankets.
But many forget that it’s also important to look after your car as the seasons change.
Helping your motor recover from the summer heat and preparing it for the deep freeze in winter could be key in staying on the road – and save you some serious cash.
One vital area often neglected by drivers is keeping an eye on fluid levels.
Engines run hot, usually between 90C and 105C, causing fluids to evaporate as you go along.
And with temperatures this summer peaking in the 30Cs, that effect is only accelerated.
Coolant, brake fluid and transmission fluid are all critical to the smooth running of your car and letting them run down too low can have disastrous effects.
But perhaps the most important fluid is engine oil, which lubricates and cleans just about every part of the powertrain.
Brits should check their oil levels frequently to make sure they don’t run out.
Most cars still use a dipstick on the oil tank, allowing you to check your levels in seconds.
Simply make sure your car is on level ground and has had at least ten minutes to cool down after use.
Unscrew the dipstick, which is often marked with a circular yellow top, and wipe it clean with a cloth.
Then put it back in the oil tank for a few seconds before removing for a second time and checking the level.
It should be between the maximum and minimum notches marked on the stick.
If you don’t have a dipstick it’s even easier, as the car likely has an oil gauge on the dashboard which can show you the level from the comfort of the cabin.
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Once you’ve measured your oil, just top it up as needed keeping it under the maximum mark.
You should do this at least every three months of 3,000 miles (whichever comes first) as a rule of thumb.
And get your oil changed once a year or every 5-7,500 miles to keep it fresh.
If you let your oil get too low it can cause significant engine damage and even seize your engine – forcing you to get a replacement.
And given that, according to experts at Motorway, replacing an engine costs an average of £3,250, it’s more than worth it to pick up a bottle for £11 to last you for the year.
