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Most car problems don’t start as “big problems.” They start as small warnings that people ignore — a light on the dashboard, a weird shake, a small leak, a sound that comes and goes.

If you catch these things early, you can save hundreds (sometimes thousands) in repairs. Here are the best checks to do today — even if your car feels “fine”.

1) Check your tyres in 60 seconds

Tyres affect safety, fuel use, braking, and steering.

Do this today:

• Look for uneven wear (one side more worn than the other)
• Check for cracks on the sidewall
• Make sure all tyres look equally inflated

Quick tip: If the steering pulls left or right, or tyres wear unevenly, you may need a wheel alignment.

2) If your steering shakes at speed, don’t ignore it

A shake at 80–110km/h is usually one of these:

• wheels need balancing
• tyre issue (bulge or uneven wear)
• worn suspension parts

Best move today: Start with wheel balancing (often the cheapest fix).

3) Open the bonnet and look for leaks

Leaks are easier to fix early. Look for:

• wet spots around hoses
• oil marks around the engine
• coolant stains (often green/pink)

Rule: If you keep topping up fluids regularly, you have a leak somewhere.

4) Check your engine oil properly

Low oil can destroy an engine.

How to check:

• Park on flat ground
• Engine off for 5–10 minutes
• Pull dipstick, wipe, dip again, read level

Oil too dark? Dark oil can be normal, but if it’s thick/sludgy, change it.

5) Test your battery before it fails

Batteries don’t “warn” you nicely — they just die when you’re late.

Signs your battery is weak:

• slow starting
• lights dim at idle
• car struggles in cold mornings

If your battery is older than 3 years, test it today.

6) Brakes: listen to the small sounds

Brakes are your life insurance. Warning signs:

• squeaking (pads may be low)
• grinding (metal on metal — urgent)
• shaking when braking (warped discs)

If braking feels different, check it early.

7) Use your dashboard lights as a message — not decoration

The check engine light is not a suggestion.

Best tip today:
If it comes on and stays on, scan it with an OBD2 reader (cheap tool), or visit a mechanic. Fixing early is always cheaper.

Best advice for car owners today

If you do only ONE thing: check tyres + oil + listen for new sounds.

That simple habit will save you money and keep you safe.