6 Things Your Car Deserves Right Now

Transmission oil change

As a petrolhead, we’re sure you’re already keeping on top of your engine oil changes. But what about transmission oil? Recommended change intervals vary greatly, but if you have an older car with high mileage, the chances are it could do with a change.

Transmission oil - which is of a much higher viscosity than engine oil - will generally turn darker as it deteriorates, and become far less effective at keeping everything down there nicely lubricated.

Under-the-hood-detail

Keeping your car clean on the outside and even the inside is easy enough, but you’ll get an extra sense of satisfaction by going one step further and giving your engine bay a little attention.

Whether the top of your engine is covered in plastic or smothered in glorious chrome like an Alfa Romeo Busso V6, a little clean will give you an under-the-hood view to be proud of. Naturally given all the sensitive components under the hood you’ll need to take a lot more care than when washing your car’s exterior, but trust us, the end result will be worth it.

Coolant flush

Keeping your coolant topped up is a vital aspect of car maintenance, but renewing a car’s coolant and flushing the system is a job that’s often neglected. Over time, deposits will build up within your car’s cooling system, making it less effective at its job, so it’s well worth flushing the system every few years.

Extensive guides are available online, and it’s important you do your homework before trying this (you need to know what you’re doing when it comes to bleeding a radiator, for instance). But in summary it’s simply a case of removing a drain plug to eject the old coolant, putting the plug back in and adding a flushing agent, dumping the fluid once more and then adding fresh coolant fluid and water.

Exhaust clean

Exhaust tips may be nice and shiny when your car leaves the factory, but as the miles pass, sooty deposits of carbon will take the sheen off. Thankfully, there are plenty of products out there that’ll shift the grime and make your exhaust tips shine again.

As with under-hood detailing some care will be needed - you can’t just shoot a hose up there, after all. But take your time, use the right products, and the back of your car will be looking factory fresh in no time.

Re-trimming interior panels

This is something you may need professional assistance with, but depending on the job, a little ingenuity, dexterity and the right materials might be all you need. Maybe the surface of your center console is worn, or maybe there’s a tear in some seat fabric. Whatever the imperfection, repairing or replacing it will make a big difference to your interior.

Use a fuel system cleaner

Here’s something you can do that takes minimal effort, yet will make a big difference to the health of your engine. Adding STP Ultra 5-in-1 Fuel System Cleaner to your tank will take seconds, and give a huge number of benefits.

One bottle of STP Ultra 5-in-1 Fuel System Cleaner removes an average of 61% of harmful intake valve deposits, and restores an average of 95% of the original injector performance.

After treatment, your car will use less fuel, and peak performance will be restored. Friction will be reduced, and further ethanol deposits will be prevented.

STP is a trusted American automotive brand that has been helping motorists keep their cars in good health since 1954. As well as Fuel System Cleaners, STP produces a vast array of products including oil treatments, brake fluids, power steering fluids and engine oil.

Visit stp.com to find your closest retailer today.

This is a sponsored post written by staff on behalf of STP. All opinions are 100% ours.