Car ownership

How to check your car’s engine oil: a step-by-step guide

A Green Flag technician checks the engine oil using a dipstick.
Checking your car’s oil is a simple task which helps maintain peak protection and performance of its engine.

Checking your car’s oil level is a simple yet key task which will help to keep your car running at its best. We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about checking your car oil.

We explain what oil does, why it’s important, how to see if your car’s running low on it, how to top it up, and much more. All this, plus our step-by step guide and expert video. Very slick!

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The 7 reasons why you should give your car a wash this spring

Spring car wash

Spring has sprung, the birds are singing, and the sun is finally putting in an appearance. But the chances are your car is still feeling (and showing) the effects of winter.  

With warm weather (hopefully) just around the corner, now’s the time to give your car a good spring clean. There are plenty of good reasons to – here are seven of the best.

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How to check car engine coolant: the complete UK guide

A Green Flag technician points to the coolant reservoir under the hood of a car.
Car coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water which helps to stop your car’s engine from overheating.

Checking your car’s coolant level is an important task to help keep your car healthy and on the road.

Our frequently asked questions, step-by step guide and expert video have everything you need to know about car coolant, how to check the level, and how to safely top it up.

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Why do car batteries die in winter?

A roadside technician checks a failing car battery.
The cold winter weather doesn’t play nicely with your car’s battery.

There’s nothing worse than heading out on a freezing winter morning, turning the key… and being met with silence.

A flat car battery is one of the most common causes of breakdowns during cold weather – and it can happen anytime, without much warning. Even if your battery seemed perfectly fine in recent months, winter conditions can quickly expose hidden weaknesses.

So, why do car batteries die in winter? And what can you do to prevent being stranded with a car that won’t start? Let’s look at why cold weather can prove so challenging.

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How to change your windscreen wipers

Windscreen wiper blades play a vital role in giving drivers a better, clearer view of the road.

Being able to change your car’s windscreen wiper blades is a vital car maintenance skill. The process varies from car to car but there are similarities between all of them which we’ve covered below with a step-by step guide and a handy video showing how our experts do it.

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Expert advice: what cold weather does to your car

cold weather
Winter affects many parts of your car (Picture iStock/Hutchyb)

Winter is here and with the cold weather comes a whole lot of challenges, and not just for us drivers. Cars too will be suffering in the lower temperatures. Here are the different ways icy conditions affect your car and some handy suggestions for ways to reduce their impact.

Low temperatures thicken the oil

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Getting through your MOT

When your MOT comes around you hope that your car passes the test without it costing too much of your hard-earned cash.

You never know if it’s going to sail through with no problems or if there are a load of defects that need patching up before you can get back on the road.

However, there are some things you can do to give your car a better chance of passing its MOT the first time. And thankfully, you’ll find them all right here…

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Ageing cars fuel a rise in breakdowns

Cars of different ages, makes, and models driving on a busy road.

The number of cars breaking down each year is on the rise, fuelled in part by the increasing average age of vehicles on the road.

Our data shows the average age of cars on British roads has risen by 42% over the past 20 years, from 6.6 years old in 2003 to 9.4 years in 2023.

They say that with age comes wisdom. Well, it can also come with the occasional breakdown…

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Expert advice on how to avoid a car key catastrophe

Taking better care of your car keys can save time, money and plans being cancelled this summer.
Taking better care of your car keys can save you time, money and stress.

Our research reveals that a car key-related callout took place every seven minutes in 2024. According to our data, two-thirds (62 per cent) of car key callouts were a result of drivers locking their keys in the car. A further fifth of callouts were for keys being jammed in the lock or ignition, whilst 12 per cent were a result of lost keys.

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Driving holidays on the up: great places to stop on British road trips

a silver car driving past hills next to an expanse of water in the UK

Forget sweltering in a steamy sun-baked airport departure lounge; the driving holiday is the favoured way to take a summer break for many British travellers.

It coincides with the increase in popularity of the ‘staycation’, that sees a whopping 52% of Brits choosing holidays within in the UK. Furthermore, 34% love it so much they’re holidaying here more multiple times a year.

If you’re one of the millions planning a road trip this summer, we’ve compiled a list of places to enjoy while on the road around the UK.

Great places to stop during a UK driving holiday

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Do you play fuel station roulette? All about when the low fuel light is on

Low fuel light
20 miles left, 2 miles or 200 metres? Fuel gauges vary (Picture iStock/Akchamczuk)

Most people have driven around with the low fuel light or low battery alert on. Some people even play fuel station roulette on a regular basis, driving as far as they dare with the warning light on and their car running on the dregs of its fuel or battery. But do you really know how many miles your car has left in it when the warning light comes on?

What is your car’s fuel light range?

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Stressed drivers: How to stay calm when behind the wheel of your car

Angry man behind the wheel of a car

Stressed-out drivers seem to be a fundamental part of modern motoring. Whether the anxiety shows itself through rude gestures, aggressive driving or ignoring basic good manners and the rules of the road it’s there, eating away at many behind the wheel.

Earlier this year, the UK government’s Health and Safety Executive claimed that more than 33.7 million working days a year were lost in the UK in 2024 through mental health and stress, costing employers £51 billion. So, to help drivers stay chilled behind the wheel, here are some stress-busting tips that can be put to good use today.

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How to fit a bike rack to your vehicle

Yellow-ish green 4x4 with roof rack and bike rack attached. Luggage container and red box on roof rack and three bikes on bike rack. Greenery and mountains in the background.

Bikes can be a great way to explore while you’re camping, on a road trip, or visiting a specific trail. But if you’re taking your own bike(s), fitting a bike rack can be a bit of a hassle.

So, to help cut down that hassle for you, here’s our handy guide on how to fit a bike rack to your vehicle.

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Five accessories for your vehicle this summer

light green beetle with flowers painted onto the bonnet is parked on a dirt track. pov is a close up of the right side if the bonnet and light, which has eyelashes attached.

Whether you’re preparing for outdoor adventures, or just adding your own twist on your vehicle, accessories can transform your transport.

With summer in full swing, we thought about a few accessories that could take your vehicle to the next level. Or just be a bit of fun.

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Wacky weather: vehicle care in sunshine and thunderstorms

the photographer's left hand holds a hose with an additional attachment containing soap, spraying a white car parked on a driveway. a road curves around in the background with white houses lining the street and two cars just visible either side of the white car being cleaned.

We know it’s a British stereotype to chat about the weather, but come on. Summer 2023 is already a weird one. After one of the wettest winters on record, the UK is now seeing scorching temperatures, warm thunderstorms, and weather warnings.

When it’s 30 degrees one minute and thunder’s echoing around your house the next, vehicle care can get confusing. Here’s the latest on what to prepare for, and how to prepare.

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