Know your car
How parts and systems work, warning lights, fluids
Latest in Know your car
-
Wipers, lights and bulbs: the visibility check
How to check wipers, washer fluid and all your lights, and why autumn is the right time to do it.
-
Understanding the data plate and stickers on your car
Where to find the manufacturer plate, VIN and other labels on a car and what the information tells you.
-
Tyre pressure and tyre rotation
How to check tyre pressure correctly, why it matters for safety and fuel, and when rotating tyres makes sense.
More guides
-
What a turbo does and how to look after one
How a turbocharger gives a small engine extra power, and the habits that help it last.
-
Towing and roof loads: the basics
What the weight limits mean and how to load a roof box, bike rack or trailer so the car stays stable and legal.
-
Timing belt vs timing chain
What the timing drive does, how belts and chains differ, and why the replacement history matters when you buy.
-
Test drive checklist: what to check on the road
What to do before, during and after a test drive so you notice problems that a quick look will not show.
-
Signs of odometer fraud and how to spot them
How to notice when the mileage on a used car does not match its real wear and history.
-
Signs of accident repair on a used car
How to notice that a car has been in a crash and repaired, and what questions to ask when you find signs.
-
The real cost of owning a car
Fixed, running and hidden costs of a car, and how to see the full yearly picture before you buy.
-
Reading a tyre label and sidewall markings
What the size, load, speed and other codes on a tyre mean, and how the label helps you compare tyres.
-
Manual or automatic: which gearbox suits you?
How manual and automatic gearboxes differ, what each costs to live with and what to check when buying used.
-
Hybrid types explained: mild, full and plug-in
The differences between mild hybrids, full hybrids and plug-in hybrids and who each one suits.
-
How to track your car expenses
A simple habit for recording fuel, service and other costs so you know what your car really costs per kilometre.
-
How often should you service your car?
A plain guide to service intervals, what a basic and a bigger service usually include, and how to keep track of them.