Howick Spares World Autobarn

The cooling system of your car is an integral part of the longevity and lifespan of your engine.

Using the correct anti-freeze to keep your cooling system efficient, making sure there are no leaks and old brittle pipes is very important in ensuring your engine is kept within safe operating temperatures.

Any signs of steam, continually topping up of water, puddles under the car all could be signs that you have a compromised cooling system.

Worn brake pads and shoes can cause damage to the discs and drums respectively, having them properly checked and replaced before damage is caused will save you a lot of money. Worn brakes can cause complete loss of stopping ability which can be life-threatening for you and fellow road users. If your brake fluid is low, have your brake pads inspected - it can be an indication of worn brakes. Dirty and old fluid also needs to be replaced, all brake pipes and hoses need to be thoroughly inspected on a regular basis. There is no set time to change the brake fluid in your vehicle. The timing varies by type of car, the driving conditions you typically encounter, and the manufacturer's recommendations. But a good rule of thumb is to check it during regular oil changes and expect to change it every four to five years.

All vehicles have timing belts, chains and fan belts that are constantly in use when your vehicle is running. They all tend to wear, stretch and get brittle over time. If these fail it can cause serious engine damage, replace these as per manufacturer's recommendation, before they break, to avoid engine damage.
As a precaution, older cars should have the timing belt checked at each service interval.