How to look after your car and save money

Former tyre technician Melinda-Jane Hodgins loved her old car.

"It was awesome. It had side skirts, fully sick tinted windows, sunroof and a sports exhaust. You could hear me coming down the street," she says.

MJ called the car Spack and drove 420,000 kilometres in it for over 17 years.

"I always say it's the longest and most trusting relationship I've ever had in my life. The Spack lasted so long because every month I popped the hood, and I checked underneath."

MJ's story kicked off a free car maintenance workshop for Campbelltown council at the Campbelltown library garage this week.

She's part of an all-female team at GalMatic who run private courses and school workshops to give women and girls the confidence to pop the bonnet and change a tyre. 

Participant Keely signed up for the workshop because she just got her Ps and her mum wanted her to learn how to look after her own car.

She's enjoying driving her car, which she's called Donnie, and is hoping to learn ways to save money, too.

"I'm in year 12, I work a casual job. I don't have the money to be throwing thousands at cars," she says.

Stacey came to the workshop after a mishap last week.

"I stupidly left my accessories on because I didn't know that the car just dies. I didn't have any jump-start leads and didn't know how to jump-start it," she says.

Demand is growing

MJ says GalMatic's workshops are in demand.

"I've been teaching for 15 years, but it's getting busier and busier and busier every year."

MJ believes car maintenance should be compulsory for all drivers.

This could include things like how to keep the engine and tyres in good shape so the car is running as efficiently as possible, which means the parts will last longer and allow you to get more mileage out of your petrol.

"I think a lot of people don't realise that replacing an engine in their car is so expensive. And a lot of people think that it's covered by insurance, but it's not," MJ says.

So how do you keep your car in good condition and running as long as Spack? MJ shares her tips.

1. Do a monthly check under the hood

Pop the bonnet and check your oil and coolant levels once a month. These are critical to the function of the car. Oil keeps the engine lubricated and coolant regulates its temperature.

Without oil, the engine can seize and then you'll need to replace it, which will cost a lot. Without coolant, the engine can overheat or suffer damage.

These things are labelled, so you should be able to spot them fairly easily when you lift the bonnet, but the manual will also show you where to look.

For more detailed instructions, the NRMA has this step-by-step guide to checking oil and coolant.

2. Don't forget windscreen wiper fluid

While you're at it, top up the windscreen wiper fluid. This one is more about safety, but don't wait for a service to be able to keep your windscreen clear.

And stick to actual windscreen wiper fluid; detergent can bubble over. 

3. Check if you've got tools and where they are

It's a good idea to have a jack, a wrench for removing wheel nuts, a towing hook and jumper leads. These are usually found in compartments in the boot.

When you're considering buying a car, it's one of the things MJ looks for.

It's not a deal-breaker if they're missing, but you'll need to get some in order to change a tyre, jump start your car or be towed.

4. Read the manual

Or at least skim through it.

"They actually tell you how to change a tyre, they tell you how to change a fuse," MJ says. "You could spend a lot of money on something little that you could actually do yourself."

5. Name your car

"If you name it, make it part of the family, you'll look after it," says MJ, whose current car is called Bess.

6. Know how to change a tyre

MJ can do it in five minutes if she's in a rush. If it's your first time, allow half an hour to an hour. Follow the instructions in the manual, sign up for a workshop, or you can use online tutorials such as this or this.

7. Shop around for a mechanic

When you do need to go to the mechanic, MJ has this advice: "Shop around, find someone that you trust, find someone who someone else recommends."

And if you have to spend more than a standard service, ask for an itemised invoice so you know exactly what they've done.

8. Check your wheel balance and alignment

Gone over a pothole recently or feel the steering wheel pulling to one side? It may be worth getting a wheel alignment and balance check.

MJ says if the wheel alignment is off, you'll go through more fuel because the car is having to work harder. Getting it right will also maximise the life of your tyres.

It can cost $50 - $100 for a wheel alignment, but that is much less than new tyres.

9. Give it a clean

Keep a rag or baby wipes in the car and give the engine a once over when you're doing your monthly check (when it's cool).

Also get rid of any leaves that build up between the windscreen and the bonnet.