Alloy Wheel Repair London – Basic Car Maintenance Tips

Alloy Wheel Repair London – Whoops' pointers on basic car care and how DIY vehicle maintenance can help lower the cost of repairs

Basic Car Maintenance – How DIY Can Lower the Cost of Your Car Repairs

If we find we are too busy to do basic checks on our cars, this can end up costing us more in the long run, so alloy wheel repair specialists in London – Whoops We'll Fix It! – have come up with some handy hints to avoid this happening. It is important to keep your car in tip-top shape, as it is one of the most valuable possessions any of us have – not only in terms of the price of the vehicle, but because of its vital role in getting us from A to B.

We all know the inconvenience and havoc caused when our car breaks down. However, just a few basic car maintenance checks every now and again are simple to do – and in the long run will save on the inconvenience of being without your car. It is not just important to be able to do basic DIY maintenance, but also to look after your vehicle.

Whoops’ alloy wheel repair service in London is an important part of this, aiming to keep your car in perfect condition. We pride ourselves on our expertise, experience and top technology, and offer a complete range of services to sort out the small problems which can all too easily become more major headaches if they are ignored.

Whether you need our alloy wheel repair service in London, an alloy wheel refurbishment or any other service that we provide, including car body work repairs and retouching, we will make it our business to restore your vehicle to picture-perfect condition. Meanwhile, here is our easy guide to some of the DIY car checks that you can do to help keep your car in shape.

Alloy Wheel Repair London click here for details of our service or get in touch now for a free quote.

DIY Car Maintenance – Basic Things You Should Know

Checking the Oil Level

If your oil level is either too low or too high, it can damage your engine, so it is important to keep an eye on this. Before carrying out this simple check, first make sure your engine has cooled down after your most recent journey. The vehicle should have been parked for at least three hours. Your first step is to pull the dipstick out and wipe it with a rag. Then put it back properly in place again, wait for a minute and then pull it out for a second time, this time checking the oil level shown, which should be between the high and low levels marked on the dipstick. If it is too low, add a little oil to bring it up to the right level.

Tyre Pressure and Tread

Drivers should ideally check their tyre pressure every week, using a good-quality digital gauge, and holding it on the valve cap for long enough to get an accurate reading. Having the right tyre pressure is important for both safety and fuel economy, so, if yours is too low, put more air in. Your manufacturer's handbook will give the right pressure level for your vehicle. It's equally important to keep an eye on the level of tread on your tyre, as bald tyres are extremely dangerous, as well as meaning you are breaking the law. Most tyres have built-in tread wear indicators, and when these become visible that means the tread has gone down to the legal requirement of 1.6mm and that you must replace the tyre.

Washer Fluid

It's important to check the level of this weekly, making sure you do so when the car has been parked for at least a few minutes and the engine has had time to cool down. Open the bonnet and look for the washer fluid reservoir, which is in the engine bay – if you are unsure exactly where it is, check your vehicle handbook. Remove the lid and top up the washer with water and screen wash fluid before putting the lid back on.

Radiator Water/Coolant

Checking the level of fluid in your radiator is another important regular check. Again, consult your handbook to find out exactly where the radiator reservoir is in your particular model. Do not touch anything until the engine is cool as there is a risk of being scalded by hot liquids. Once the engine has cooled down properly, check the coolant is between the maximum and minimum levels and, if it is too low, top it up with a mix of coolant and water.

Changing a Bulb

A parts store will tell you what sort of bulb you need and your manual should show you how to get at the bulb. Don't touch the glass when changing a headlight bulb, as many now have special coatings which can be damaged by touching them. With many modern cars, it is now more complex to fit bulbs yourself and this may need to be carried out at a garage.

About Whoops Wheel Fix It!

When you need an alloy wheel repair in the London area, covering north and west London, Essex and Hertfordshire, the people to call are Whoops We'll Fix It! Our experienced team carries out work to the highest standard, using state-of-the-art equipment. We offer a fully mobile service for alloy wheel and body work repairs, so we can come to you if you have a knock or scratch and get your car back to perfect condition.

Alloy Wheel Repair London click here for details of our service or get in touch now for a free quote.

Alloy Wheel Repair London – Car Wheels

Alloy Wheel Repair London – Whoops Wheel Fix It's! easy guide on how to change a wheel

When your car is your pride and joy, you will do everything you can to keep it in great shape, which could range from alloy wheel repair for London drivers right through to a full re-spray.
For most of us, our cars are very much part of the image we like to project, so it can be extremely irritating when things go wrong. Whether your alloy wheels get scraped or chipped, you notice a crack in your windscreen or you drive over something sharp that wrecks your tyres, you will want to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, Whoops We’ll Fix It! offers a host of services to make it easier for drivers to keep their cars in great repair. Whether your vehicle's bodywork needs attention, you are looking for car polishing or alloy wheel repair in the London area, we are the ultimate in convenience.
If you have a damaged wheel, you can call in our mobile repair service and we will come to you to carry out on-the-spot alloy wheel repairs in North and West London.
Alloy wheel repair London - click here for details of our service.

How to Deal with a Puncture

Once you have spent a lot of time on the road, the chances are you may be unfortunate enough to get a flat tyre. This can be caused by a number of things – from sharp items in the road to hitting a storm drain. It can happen at the most inconvenient moment, when you are on a busy road, on a roundabout or worse, on a motorway, and often when you are running late for work or for an appointment.
The best course of action to take when you have a puncture is to put your hazard lights on and find a safe place to pull over. If you have a flat, it is not only inconvenient, but you may not actually know how to change a tyre. That will mean you have to rely on a Good Samaritan passing by or call up the breakdown services, which could mean lengthy waiting times.
If you have the misfortune to suffer a puncture while you are driving, while we don’t offer wheel change services, here’s our easy guide to changing a wheel.

Guide to Changing a Car Wheel in Ten Easy Steps

Ideally, you should always have a spare wheel, but many new cars no longer include one and, in order to save on space, they may just include a puncture repair kit. If you don't have a spare wheel, it is important to know how to use your repair kit and to make yourself familiar with it at home before an emergency arises.
The other things you will need include gloves, something to kneel on, your car handbook, a jack, wheel nut wrench and extension bar, reflective jacket and a torch, in case it is dark when you find yourself faced with changing a wheel.
First, make sure the hazard lights are on, the engine is turned off, your car’s handbrake is on and your car is in gear. Don't put yourself at risk by attempting to change a wheel on a motorway hard shoulder or at the roadside. Before you start, get any passengers out of the car and in a safe place well away from the road and vehicle.
Step One: Check your car handbook to find out where you can jack up your car – because if you do it in the wrong areas you can damage your vehicle. Your handbook may also contain more advice about how to change a wheel on your particular model of car, and it is important to follow this.
Step Two: Get the spare wheel from the back or front of the car and lay it on the ground in a convenient place.
Step Three: Take the wheel trim/hubcap off, if your car has one of these fitted. It may be necessary to lever off the hubcap and there might be cable ties needing to be cut.
Step Four: Fit the jack securely in the lifting point shown in your car handbook nearest to the wheel concerned, but don't raise the car yet. Loosen the wheel bolts or nuts, which usually need to be turned anti-clockwise.
Step Five: Jack up the car so that it is just clear of the ground. Never work under the car while it is jacked up and make sure you use the correct jacking point, as specified in your handbook.
Step Six: Remove the loosened nuts and bolts, ending with the top one, and then, when they are all removed, lift the wheel from the hub.
Step Seven: Change the wheel over by taking the old one off and putting the new one on.
Step Eight: Put the bolts back on in the reverse order from when you removed them, starting with the top bolt, but don’t tighten them completely. Don't oil the nuts or bolts as this could create a risk of them then working loose.
Step Nine: Un-jack the car, lowering it carefully to touch the ground.
Step Ten: Tighten the bolts up fully, using your wheel nut wrench.
You should then put the wheel that you have removed back in the boot or carrier of your car. If your spare is a temporary one designed for limited use, bear in mind it is likely to have a speed limit of 50mph and will need to be replaced with a standard tyre as soon as you can arrange this.
It is always best to get a friend or family member to show you how to change a wheel, and there are also various practical courses or evening classes available on basic car mechanics that will cover how to do this.

About Whoops Wheel Fix It!

If you need an alloy wheel repair in London, or body repair work, then Whoops Wheel Fix It! are the people to call. Our team offers great service and has a wealth of experience as well as the very latest equipment, so you can be assured of satisfaction. What's more, we can come to you if needed, as our service is fully mobile.
Alloy wheel repair London - click here to find out more or contact us now for a free quote.