Car care: what matters?

Every car, like any living creature, is individual and unique. And this isn't just about the maker, the model line it belongs to, or the price bracket and class that signals how comfortable and well-equipped it is. We mean more than those characteristics, important as they undoubtedly are. The point is that your car has its own unique set of properties, which dictate to its owner, that is, to you, the need to treat the vehicle's needs in a particular way and with particular care. Mileage matters, so does how long it's been in service, and so does any parts replacement that may have taken place. Every one of these particulars matters in its own way, and together they play a colossal role in how well your car actually runs and how properly it should be looked after.

Special attention should be paid to a few general points — tyres, engine oil and timely maintenance, and that maintenance should always be done in full, every time. Let's look at each of these in more detail. Tyres really are a sore subject for many car owners. Having to change the rubber twice a year is more than a little annoying and sometimes downright infuriating. The financial outlay, which has the unpleasant habit of recurring on schedule, can wear on owners so much that it drives them into a kind of willed forgetfulness, which shows up as summer tyres still being run in winter. Tyres for SUVs are an entirely separate question. They cost a lot more, and the demands placed on them are stricter, harsher even. Still, however difficult it may be, you need to buy only the right tyres and change them for the season without fail — if, of course, you value both your car and your safety.

Engine oil used across different seasons should differ too. It's best if it's not only genuine, high quality and suited to your particular car, but also has good cold-resistance figures, which matter so much when driving in cold weather.

On the subject of technical inspection, there's really only one thing worth saying: if you value your car's "health", trust its diagnostics only to professionals. That way you'll steer clear of costly mistakes and be confident your car is running flawlessly.