A large share of the faults documented on this site are the predictable end of a maintenance item that was skipped. Fluids, filters, belts and tyres are cheap; the failures they prevent are not.
What Usually Goes Wrong
Fluids and intervals
Engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid — what each one does, how it degrades and how often it genuinely needs changing.
Filters and airflow
Air, cabin, fuel and oil filters, and the symptoms a blocked one actually produces.
Belts, hoses and timing
Serpentine belts, timing belts and chains, and the coolant hoses that fail with no warning at all.
Tyres and alignment
Pressure, tread depth, uneven wear patterns and what each pattern tells you about the suspension underneath.
Guides in This Section
All maintenance guides ›-
How to Find a Vacuum Leak: Simple Checks and Smoke Test
Find a vacuum leak step by step: free hose checks, fuel trim at idle vs 2,500 rpm, a vacuum gauge and the…
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How to Prepare Your Car for Cold Weather: Winter Checklist
How to prepare your car for cold weather: test the battery, check coolant to -34°F, choose 3PMSF tyres, and recheck pressure (it…
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How to Prepare Your Car for a Long Road Trip
Most long-trip breakdowns come from fluids, tyres, battery and brakes — all checkable at home. Here’s a practical checklist with links to…
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How to Check Your Spare Tyre and Jack Before You Need Them
A spare tyre that’s flat, a jack that’s missing or a locking nut key you can’t find turns a puncture into a…
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How to Test a Car Alternator With a Multimeter
A multimeter, a few minutes and three readings — engine off, engine running and under load — show whether your alternator is…
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How to Tell If an Ignition Coil Is Failing
A failing ignition coil usually shows up as a misfire on a single cylinder. Here’s how to recognise the symptoms, swap-test the…
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How to Clean a Dirty Throttle Body (When It’s Worth It)
Carbon around the throttle plate can cause a rough, hunting or stalling idle. Here’s when cleaning is worth doing, how to do…
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How to Tell If a Headlight Bulb Is Failing (and Why to Replace in Pairs)
Headlight bulbs fade long before they fail. Learn the warning signs for halogen, HID and LED lights, why replacing in pairs makes…
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How Often to Replace Tyres (Age vs Tread Wear)
Tyres can be unsafe because of age even with plenty of tread. Here’s how to read the date code, the typical age…
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How to Tell If Your Fuel Filter Needs Replacing
A clogged fuel filter starves the engine under load. Whether it’s a cheap in-line part or a sealed in-tank unit depends on…
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How Often to Flush Engine Coolant
Coolant keeps its colour long after its corrosion inhibitors are used up. Here’s how often to change it, why it matters, and…
Chock the wheels, use axle stands rather than a jack alone, let hot components cool, and disconnect the battery before touching wiring. Brakes, steering, fuel lines, airbags and the orange high-voltage cabling on hybrids and EVs can cause serious injury or death if handled incorrectly. If a job is beyond your tools or experience, stop and book a qualified mechanic — there is no shame in it and it is always cheaper than the alternative.