With a little time and effort, you could save many a trip to the service centre. Just follow our maintenance guide to keep your vehicle in top condition

Driving away from the showroom in a brand-new car is an exhilarating experience. To make this brand-new feel last longer, regular car maintenance is vital. With just a little time and effort, maintaining your vehicle could save you many a trip to the mechanic and possibly, hundreds of dirhams as well.

Regular oil change is essential to keep the engine in good shape. Though it is common knowledge that driving on tyres that are in poor condition or incorrectly inflated is extremely dangerous, how many car owners really take the time to check the wear and tear of the tyres?

Follow our maintenance guide to keep your vehicle in top condition.

Engine oil: On level ground with the engine off, clean the dipstick with a lint-free cloth while the engine is still warm. Reinsert the dipstick fully, remove it and check oil level. If the reading is low, top up using the grade of oil recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer.

Check the oil levels at least twice per month. If the engine does not have enough oil, the vehicle can suffer serious damage.

Tyres: Check and adjust tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. Check for a minimum tread depth of 1.5mm on any part of the tyre surface that comes in contact with the road and look for abnormal wear or damage.

Adjusting the pressure to the top of the recommended range reduces fuel consumption and wear.

If you put too much air into the tyre, depress the pin in the centre of the valve to let some out. Also, don't forget to check the pressure of the spare tyre.

You should check the tyre pressure at least once a month. To make your tyres last longer, keep rotating the position of the tyres and balance them at intervals of around 10,000km.

Under-inflated tyres also increase your fuel consumption by 10 per cent. A periodic check for stone and gravel in the tyres is also a must.

Brakes: Unresponsive, wobbly or noisy brakes indicate that it's time to check the brakes and possibly top-up the brake fluid reservoir.

Check the fluid level in the master cylinder. If the level is low, the disc pads could be worn. If the level keeps dropping, get it checked immediately for leaks. Signs of brake fluid in the footwell, whether on the pedal, floor or carpets also indicates a leakage.

This is one area that is best left to the professionals. If in doubt, do not tamper but take your vehicle to an authorised service centre.

Battery: Most of today's car batteries are maintenance-free, although some still require occasional fluid top-ups. If your car doesn't start immediately, your battery may be losing its charge.

Check the terminals to make sure there's a good connection. If all looks well, have the battery checked and possibly replaced.

Radiator: Most cars are liquid-cooled. If there is a leak in the radiator and fluid is escaping, your car could overheat. Check radiator fluid levels regularly and watch your temperature gauge while driving.

If you see steam coming from the hood, pull over immediately, but do not open the radiator cap until the vehicle has cooled down. Radiators should be filled with the correct radiator fluid ratio to avoid corrosion.

Cleaning: Keeping your new car shiny and clean will extend that new feeling for much longer. Regular cleaning to remove dust and road grime is essential, especially in a desert climate. Professional interior cleaning is also available to keep the inside looking new.