Your car is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make, yet many Australians overlook the simple checks that keep it running reliably. Learning how to maintain your car properly doesn’t require a mechanic’s qualification, just a bit of know-how and regular attention to the basics.
At National Cover, we specialise in protecting Australian drivers with comprehensive motor insurance. But we also know that the best way to avoid costly repairs and claims is to prevent problems before they happen. A well-maintained vehicle is safer, more reliable, and less likely to leave you stranded on the side of the road.
This guide covers five essential DIY checks that any driver can perform at home. Whether you’re a first-time car owner or simply want a refresher, these practical maintenance tasks will help you keep your vehicle in top condition and save money in the long run.
1. Check your engine oil and key fluids
Your engine relies on several vital fluids to operate smoothly, and checking them regularly is one of the most important ways to learn how to maintain your car properly. Most Australian drivers can perform these checks in under ten minutes without professional help, yet they prevent some of the costliest mechanical failures.
What to check
You should inspect five key fluids during your monthly routine: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windscreen washer fluid. Each one serves a critical function in your vehicle’s operation, from lubricating moving parts to preventing overheating and ensuring safe braking. Your owner’s manual will show you exactly where to find each reservoir under the bonnet, and most are clearly labelled with coloured caps or warning symbols.
How to check it safely at home
Park your car on level ground and turn off the engine, allowing it to cool for at least fifteen minutes before you open the bonnet. Pull out the engine oil dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then remove it again to check the oil level between the minimum and maximum marks. For other fluids, simply locate the translucent reservoirs and verify that levels sit between the marked lines on the side of each container.
Always check fluids when the engine is cold to get accurate readings and avoid burns from hot components.
What the results mean
Clean, amber engine oil indicates healthy lubrication, whilst dark or gritty oil suggests it needs changing. Coolant should appear bright green, orange, or pink depending on your vehicle’s specifications, never rusty or cloudy. Brake fluid that looks dark or murky has absorbed moisture and requires replacement, whilst low levels in any reservoir signal either normal consumption or a potential leak.
When to top up and when to book a mechanic
Top up washer fluid and engine oil yourself when levels drop below the minimum mark, using the correct specifications from your owner’s manual. Book a mechanic immediately if you notice frequent top-ups of coolant, brake fluid, or power steering fluid, as this indicates a leak that requires professional diagnosis and repair.
2. Check your tyres including the spare
Your tyres are the only contact point between your vehicle and the road, making them critical for safety and fuel efficiency. Understanding how to maintain your car properly includes monthly tyre inspections that take just a few minutes but can prevent accidents and extend the life of your tyres significantly.
What to check
Inspect tyre pressure, tread depth, and overall condition on all four tyres plus your spare. Look for cuts, bulges, or embedded objects like nails or screws in the tread and sidewalls. Check for uneven wear patterns across the tread surface, which reveal alignment or suspension issues that need addressing.
How to check pressure and tread in Australia
Use a digital pressure gauge when tyres are cold, comparing your readings against the recommended PSI listed on the driver’s door jamb or owner’s manual. Measure tread depth using a 20-cent coin inserted into the grooves; if the platypus bill is visible, your tread has worn below the legal 1.5mm minimum and requires immediate replacement.
Never ignore low tread depth, as it dramatically increases your stopping distance in wet conditions and risks serious fines.
What uneven wear can tell you
Wear on outer edges indicates under-inflation, whilst centre wear suggests over-inflation. One-sided wear points to misalignment, and cupping or scalloping reveals worn suspension components that compromise handling and safety.
When to rotate, align, repair, or replace
Rotate your tyres every 10,000 kilometres to ensure even wear across all positions. Book an alignment if you notice pulling to one side or rapid uneven wear. Replace tyres when tread reaches the legal minimum or if you spot sidewall damage or bulges.
3. Check your battery before it leaves you stranded
A flat battery is Australia’s most common roadside breakdown, yet most battery failures give clear warning signs weeks before they leave you stranded. Learning how to maintain your car properly includes regular battery inspections that take less than five minutes and can save you from missing work or appointments due to a dead battery on a hot morning.
What to check
Inspect the battery terminals and cables for corrosion, ensuring connections sit tight without any looseness or movement. Look at the battery case itself for cracks, bulges, or leaks that indicate internal damage. Check that the battery remains firmly secured in its mounting bracket, as vibration from a loose battery shortens its lifespan considerably.
How to spot corrosion, loose clamps, and leaks
White, blue, or green crusty deposits around terminals signal corrosion that blocks electrical flow and prevents reliable starting. Try gently wiggling each cable clamp with your hand; any movement means the connection needs tightening. Visible moisture or greasy residue on the battery case suggests acid leaks that require immediate replacement.
Battery corrosion not only prevents starting but can damage expensive electrical components if left unchecked.
Quick battery health checks you can do
Turn on your headlights without starting the engine and watch for dimming after thirty seconds, which indicates weak charge. Listen for slow cranking when you start your car, especially on cold mornings. Most auto parts stores offer free battery testing that measures voltage and cranking amps in minutes.
When to charge, replace, or get help
Recharge your battery if it tests low but holds voltage after charging. Replace batteries older than four years in Australian heat, as high temperatures accelerate degradation. Call a mechanic immediately if you spot swelling, leaks, or severe corrosion, as these create safety hazards that require professional handling.
4. Check your lights, wipers, and washer fluid
Visibility and being seen by other drivers are fundamental to road safety, yet many Australian motorists never check their lights until they fail or attract police attention. Understanding how to maintain your car properly includes monthly inspections of all lighting and vision systems, which prevent accidents and keep you legal on our roads.
What to check
Test every exterior light on your vehicle, including headlights (high and low beam), brake lights, indicators, reverse lights, and number plate illumination. Inspect your wiper blades for cracks, splits, or hardened rubber that leaves streaks. Verify that your washer fluid reservoir sits above the minimum mark and that spray nozzles aim correctly at your windscreen.
How to test every light without a helper
Park near a reflective surface like a garage door or window at night, turning on each light system and observing the reflection. For brake lights, place a heavy object on the pedal or reverse close to a wall to see the glow. Walk around your vehicle to confirm that all globes function and produce strong, clear light.
Testing your lights regularly prevents the dangerous situation of driving at night with failed brake lights or indicators that other drivers cannot see.
How to inspect wiper blades and washer spray
Run your finger along the rubber edge of each blade, feeling for rough spots, tears, or separation from the metal frame. Activate your washers and watch whether fluid sprays evenly across the glass or misses large sections due to blocked or misaligned nozzles.
When to replace globes and wipers
Replace blown globes immediately, as driving without proper lighting is illegal in Australia and attracts on-the-spot fines. Fit new wiper blades when they chatter, streak, or skip across the windscreen, typically every twelve months in harsh Australian sun.
5. Check your brakes and steering feel on a short drive
Your brakes and steering work together as the primary safety systems that protect you and other road users. Understanding how to maintain your car properly means testing these systems regularly through a simple test drive, which reveals problems before they become dangerous or expensive failures.
What to check
Pay attention to brake pedal feel, steering response, and unusual noises during normal driving. Notice whether your steering wheel sits centred and straight when driving on flat, level roads. Listen for squealing, grinding, or clicking sounds that indicate worn brake pads or damaged steering components.
A safe short test drive routine
Choose a quiet, familiar route with minimal traffic and test your brakes at low speed, feeling for consistent pedal pressure without pulsing or softness. Gently turn the steering wheel left and right at different speeds, checking for looseness, vibration, or delayed response that suggests wear in the system.
Warning signs you should not ignore
Squealing or grinding when braking signals worn pads that need immediate replacement. A pulling sensation to one side indicates uneven brake wear or alignment issues. Vibration through the steering wheel points to warped rotors or suspension damage that compromises your safety.
Never ignore brake or steering problems, as they deteriorate rapidly and can cause accidents if left unaddressed.
When to stop driving and call a mechanic
Stop driving immediately if your brake pedal sinks to the floor or feels spongy, as this indicates fluid leaks or air in the lines. Pull over safely if you experience sudden steering looseness or hear loud grinding noises, then arrange towing to prevent further damage and ensure your safety.
Quick wrap-up for safer, cheaper driving
Understanding how to maintain your car properly transforms vehicle ownership from a constant worry into straightforward routine care. The five checks covered in this guide take less than thirty minutes each month, yet they prevent the majority of breakdowns, safety issues, and expensive repairs that Australian drivers face on our roads.
Regular attention to your engine fluids, tyres, battery, lights, and brakes means you catch small problems early before they escalate into major failures. You’ll enjoy lower running costs, better fuel efficiency, and the confidence that comes from knowing your vehicle remains roadworthy and reliable for every journey.
Prevention beats reaction every time when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Whilst these DIY checks handle routine care, comprehensive motor insurance from National Cover protects you against the unexpected events that even the best-maintained vehicles cannot avoid. Get a quote from National Cover today and combine smart maintenance habits with complete protection for true peace of mind on Australian roads.
