Older cars just need a little more loving

Little checks often will help avoid costly breakdowns. Photo / Steven McNicholl

My 1996 Honda Civic is approaching 200,000km and is still going strong. It may look like a dog's dinner on the outside and I haven't cleaned it in three years, but mechanically it's as sound as.

People are amazed it runs so well but there is no secret. I look after everything under the bonnet and change the oil and filters regularly.

In these times when money is a bit tight, people are keeping their cars longer so with the help of my mechanic and the Automotive Recyclers Association, here are some tips and suggestions for keeping the old girl running a bit longer. Treating the vehicle with a little tender loving care and following a few simple guidelines will ensure cars go further.

As I said before, make sure you change your oil and filters when recommended by either the mechanic or the manufacturer. Oil is the life blood of the engine and it needs clean filters.

Check the tyre pressures regularly to avoid flat tyres or bad wear. Also, correctly inflated tyres reduce excess strain on the rest of the car.

Find a mechanic who knows what he's doing - not your mate across the road who works out of his mum's garage. You need the right tools and knowledge to service a car correctly - not a handbook and a rough idea.

Listen to the car. Sure, an older car may make a few odd noises, but something loud and constant is a warning something's about to let go. Find out what the noise is and do something about it.

The same with liquid leaks, clouds of smoke from the exhaust or a funny smell when driving. The smell may not be last week's half-eaten burger but an early warning the car's overheating.

Check the driveway often to see if there's any pooling of either water, oil, clutch or brake fluid. Leaky brake cylinders will end in big tears. Check your fluids regularly. Simply lift the bonnet and scan the various reservoirs. Use the dipstick to check the oil level.

Use tune-ups to ensure the car's major components are running smoothly. Belts should be checked and replaced, brake lines inspected, spark plugs and air filter checked and replaced, and fuel injector checked.

Prepare the car for the seasons. In winter make sure the wiper blades work and don't scratch the windscreen. Fill the washer up. Make sure the tyres have tread to work efficiently in the rain. Check that all the bulbs work.

Remember: little checks often will help avoid big costly breakdowns - and the AA is not a bad friend to have.