How do you get the best from your car?

[the surfer]

Apart from the obvious (oil and filter etc.), what do you do to maintain your car and keep everything in optimum order?

Anything anyone would like to share?

[shark_90]

Make sure it's driven "properly" once in a while. Use all of the engine's power and all of the rev range. So many cars end up with clogged up EGR valves because they are driven so softly or only ever at 70mph up and down the motorways.

[gamichea]

Make sure it's driven "properly" once in a while. Use all of the engine's power and all of the rev range. So many cars end up with clogged up EGR valves because they are driven so softly or only ever at 70mph up and down the motorways.

x2 and have it serviced properly & on time & get any problems dealt with before they develop into something worse.

[Hex69]

x2 and have it serviced properly & on time & get any problems dealt with before they develop into something worse.

x3, and every week give it a once over, oil level, brake fluid, p/s fluid, coolant levels. Check tyre pressures, bulbs, etc and generally get to 'know' and love your car. :D

[eob]

All the above and - don't forget to let the engine warm up before using the power and to wait before switching off, especially after a good hard spanking! :p

[the surfer]

:beerchug:

I make sure I do all of the above.

I also change tyres front to back and vice-versa around every 10k.

[Pezza]

x3, and every week give it a once over, oil level, brake fluid, p/s fluid, coolant levels. Check tyre pressures, bulbs, etc and generally get to 'know' and love your car. :D

Hello, my advice is do not get to love your car, I've recently bought a B6 sport (very nice and v pleased:D). However, I will not be loving it :( my previous B5 Highline (high spec very nice and very well looked after) was written off by a Chav in a RS Escort who didn't stop after smashing into the side of it :mad:. 12months earlier my much loved, well-known, one of the family Saab 9-5, parked in a hotel car park had every window and door broken by some of Bristols less salubrious citizens and was written off :mad:. Never again will I become attached to a motor!:aargh4:

[Quatrelle]

I also change tyres front to back and vice-versa around every 10k.
I read somewhere that that is not a good move - it shortens their life as they get a set on 'their' wheel. They will also seem noisier on different wheels.

Imo, the downside of that also is that you usually have to buy four new tyres at the same time....