114 FLOWER POWER...

Before we leave, I hope all cars participating in the rally will have a thorough once-over from a trained mechanic. I know ours will, especially as the MOT is due a month before the trip. But is there anything we need to do now to keep things ticking over? According to the AA, we need to use FLOWER power.

When it comes to general maintenance, AA suggests there are six key areas to keep on top of: 

• Fuel 

• Lights 

• Oil 

• Water 

• Electrics 

• Rubber 

Fuel: Ensure there is fuel in the car and that it is used regularly (i.e. drive it!) to check that the fuel lines are clear and the fuel filter is doing its job.

Lights: Check that all the lights are working, the headlights are correctly adjusted, and a spare set of the correct bulbs is in the grab bag.

Oil: To check oil levels, warm the car for 10 minutes, pull the dipstick out, clean it, and then stick it back in. Remove it again and check that the level is between the markers. If it isn’t, top it up with the correct oil.

Water: Endlessly topping up screen wash may feel like a chore, but if you run out of washer fluid and, therefore, cannot clear your windscreen, this will be considered an offence. 

Electrics: Routinely check that everything electrical works. If something has stopped working, have an automotive electrician investigate.

Rubber: Check the condition of your tyres.  The tread depth isn’t the only thing that needs checking; the sidewalls and pressures should also be closely monitored. 

This should keep the car running smoothly, but many more detailed checks can/should be carried out periodically; these can be found in the next post.