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The Father's Day comprehensive guide to navigating auto parts

Advice supplied by Mohammed Al Fayyad, Director - Customer Care and Aftersales, GM Middle East

MOTHERS GIVE THIS advice too, but we all learned it from our dad and given Father's Day has just passed, this is the type of advice we used to get.
To effectively maintain your vehicle you must immerse yourself in the world of the life expectancy of batteries, oil and oil filter service recommendations and air filters and brake pad check-ups. Fun!

Here's what to look out for:

1. Especially in the Middle East, extreme heat can be hard on car batteries. If your vehicle is a few years old, have the battery and charging system tested to be sure that your auto battery has the power to start your vehicle and that your alternator is recharging the battery as it should.

2. Having your oil and filter changed at least as often as recommended by the manufacturer is likely to generate the single biggest return on your investment in routine auto service and maintenance. Getting an oil change will help protect the engine from premature wear. It's important to use the recommended grade of oil for your vehicle for the best protection and fuel efficiency. For example, the ACDelco SAE 20W50 API SL is a multi-grade suitable for passenger car and light petrol truck applications.

3. Brakes often have wear indicators that produce noise when it's time to change the brake pads, or your brakes may feel different when you press on them. If you think there may be a problem with your vehicle's brakes, have them inspected.

4. A dirty air filter prevents the engine from breathing properly. Change the air filter once a year or when recommended in your Owner's Manual. Change it more often if you drive in dirty or dusty conditions - so if you often go sand duning or camping for instance.

5. Don't wait for a rainy day to discover that your windshield wipers are worn and need replacement. Worn windshield wipers can hinder visibility in rainy conditions.