September 16, 2024
Sara Davies
Driver Articles
A month can pass in no time at all, so don’t forget that maintaining your company car is one of those things that just can’t be put on the back burner. Print off this article to remind you of the 5 checks you need to carry out monthly on your company car, or sooner.
1. Functionality of Lights, Steering and Brakes
Since these are all vital to driving safely, lights, steering and brakes top our list of things to check regularly on a company car. Of course as the driver, you’re likely to be using these functions much more regularly in the day-to-day driving of your vehicle and so should see if there is any issue quickly but it is still a good idea to conduct a thorough check once a month regardless.
Lights
Make sure you check all your lights are in full working order, including headlights, brake lights, hazard lights/indicator lights, reverse lights and fog lights. Not only does your lighting help you see in dark or wet conditions, it helps other drivers be aware of your vehicle. Replace bulbs immediately if any of your lights are out, checking fuses first. Broken lights are one of the features that are most likely to get you pulled over by the police.
Steering
Early signs of steering problems could present in the form of your vehicle pulling to one side or the steering becoming looser or stiffer than normal. If presented with such issues it is advisable to have your steering professionally checked.
Brakes
One of the main warning signs that you may need to replace your brakes is a loss of performance. If you find that the brake pedal feels spongy when you press it, then it may be that your brake pads need to be replaced or your brake fluid is low. If you can hear a grinding noise when you brake, it’s likely that the friction material of your brake pad has worn away. A squealing noise can be caused by a build-up of rust on the brakes. In any of these cases, you should alert your fleet manager or maintenance professional assigned to your vehicle.
2. Signs of Leaks
Check there isn’t a wet patch or puddle beneath your car when it is parked up. This is easy enough to see when reversing away from a spot your car has been parked in so look out for this on a continued basis as habit rather than restricting it to a formal monthly check.
If you do spot any liquid that appears to be leaking from your car, it is important to investigate it straight away. Slide some white cardboard underneath the car so it can capture the drips and show up the colour. If the liquid is clear there isn’t likely to be anything wrong with your car, it is probably condensation from the aircon unit or the exhaust. But flag it up with your fleet manager or maintenance professional just to be on the safe side.
If you see a brownish puddle under your car that looks multicoloured it could be a fuel leak. If it doesn’t look multicoloured it could be brake fluid, especially if it’s slippery. If it’s red it could be transmission fluid. In any of these instances we advise you to avoid driving the vehicle and seek further advice. This is particularly important if it’s brake fluid as you may not be able to stop the vehicle.
Other colours indicate other potentially serious vehicle conditions. So in any instances of spotting liquid beneath your car, review this comprehensive list from the RAC here.
3. Tyre and Inflation Condition
Check the pressure of all tyres monthly. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts along the sidewalls and replace them if worn or damaged. Driving a car with bald tyres can risk a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. If all four tyres are worn below the legal limit, you could face a £10,000 fine and lose your licence. Tyre tread depth of your car must to be above 1.6mm to be safe and legal, for the middle three quarters of the tyre. If you are unsure if your car tyres meet the legal minimum standard you can check the tread depth by:
- Checking with a depth gauge.
- Performing the 20p test on the tread grooves (if you can’t see the outer band of the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit).
- Inspecting the wear indicators on the tyre if fitted.
Inflate tyres and maintain at the recommended pressure to help with traction on the road and even improve gas mileage.
4. Fluid Levels
It’s normal to need to sometimes top up your fluids and for engine oil, brake fluid, and coolant levels to drop over time. However, sudden loss of fluids can indicate an underlying issue you should flag up. To check your fluid levels make sure you check the following fluids weekly to be on the safe side, particularly if you’re covering a lot of miles:
Engine oil
Even newer cars can still consume oil, some worse than others. Checking your oil level is really important to prevent your engine seizing up if the levels dip too low. Your engine needs oil to lubricate parts, but also for cooling and cleaning.
On many modern cars, the dashboard display will indicate your fluid level but regardless, checking your oil is easy. Check the engine oil level before you start the car or wait a few minutes after switching off the engine for an accurate reading and to ensure the car and oil has cooled.
Just pull out the dipstick, wipe it and reinsert it into the oil tank, then pull it out again and check the fluid level is between the minimum and maximum levels marked. If you notice your vehicle uses oil every month, schedule your checks accordingly and have extra oil on-hand, if needed.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Check the windshield washer fluid level monthly. Topping up this fluid helps preserve your windshield wipers and maintain driving visibilty. In fact, low washer fluid could lead to an MOT failure. Use the directed concentration of screen wash additive so that it clears away grime and doesn’t freeze. Lift the bonnet and find the blue cap which is the top of your windscreen washer fluid reservoir. If it is low or empty, lift the cap and add the fluid.
Coolant
You should check your engine coolant level every week or so. Only remove the coolant reservoir cap when the engine is cool as when the engine is hot it can lead to serious injury. Use a glove, then add the coolant and check it’s at the right level. Next, drive the car for five minutes and visually recheck the coolant level to ensure you’ve added enough.
5. Cleanliness and Condition
Over time, a dirty car can become a damaged car or one that is virtually impossible to get clean. Bird poo left unattended, for example, can corrode paintwork, so it is advisable to check and clean your car at least monthly, or in the case of removing bird poo and any other major dirt, to remove it as soon as you see it.
You should also monitor the condition of your windscreen and paintwork, looking out for chips and scratches and getting them repaired as soon as possible as some types of damage can become more serious as time goes on and may cause wear and tear charges at the end of your lease. For example, a dent that looks minor at the outset, runs the risk of rust developing if moisture gets to the metal underneath.
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