One way to protect your car interior and upholstery while easing the load on the air-conditioner is to put up heat and UV-resistant window film. Check that the film is compliant with Land Transport Authority (LTA) guidelines.

Send your car for a professional grooming package that takes care of the interior as well. It saves you the hassle of getting your hands dirty. Some vehicle workshops even offer deodorising and sterilising treatments that get rid of germs and odours.

If you can feel every bump and hump your car is going over, the shock absorbers might be worn out and need to be replaced. Not only will the ride be more comfortable with new shock absorbers, but the better handling response also means that your car is able to react more quickly in an emergency.

Car spoilers are aerodynamic additions that are normally mounted on top of a car's trunk or positioned under the front bumper. Spoilers can make a car stand out and also improve the car's performance. The rear spoiler provides a downforce for better stability at higher speeds.

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Take time to read the manufacturer's manual to get a better understanding of your car's unique requirements, such as the optimum level of tyre pressure.

It may be worthwhile sending your car to a grooming centre for a good polish job as this will help preserve the life of its paint work.

Replace worn-out wiper blades regularly as they are likely to scratch the windscreen if they are structurally damaged.

Keep leather seats well-maintained: Wipe with a damp cloth and moisturise the leather once every three months. Do not use cleaning detergents that are abrasive or contain chemical components.

Try to fill up the petrol tank completely to prevent it from being corroded.

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Wash your car at least once a week to remove surface dirt like dust, mud, grease spots and bird droppings. If the comtaminants are not removed quickly, they can stick to the paintwork permanently. Wash and rinse one section at a time, working from top to bottom.

Never substitute car-washing products for dishwashing liquid or household cleaners. The latter are likely to be too harsh and contain harmful detergents, abrasives and additives that can strip off the wax and damage the paintwork.

Wash your car in a shaded area or in the cooler parts of the day. Washing in the hot sun may cause uneven drying, which can leave residue and streaks on your car. After the final rinse, wipe away excess water with a clean terry cloth to prevent watermarks from forming.

Wax your car at least twice a year to protect it from damage and to maintain colour and shine. Waxing helps remove paint oxidation and surface dirt, while adding a protective coating. It can play down or remove minor damage such as surface scratches and light contamination, and provide a high-lustre finish.

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Check for reddish oil puddles under the car as they could mean a leak from either the automatic transmission or power steering system. The automatic fluid level should not drop below the minimum mark. It should also be clear without any metal filings or black flakes and no burning smell.

Auto transmission fluid should be changed on schedule, otherwise you will be lubricating your transmission with contaminants. Transmission fluid doesn't burn up, so if you find the level dropping, it is quite certain there is a leak somewhere.

To check the level of engine oil, park your car on level ground and wait for at least five minutes after switching off the car engine. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, then replace it and pull it out again. The oil level should be between the maximum and minimum mark. If the oil is very black, a complete change may be needed.

Brake fluid should be replaced at intervals, using the formula recommended by the manufacturer. The fluid must maintain a stable viscosity throughout its operating temperature range. If it is too thick or too thin, braking action is impaired.

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Inspect the windscreen wiper blades whenever you clean your windshield. Don't wait until the rubber is worn or brittle to replace them. You need them in good working condition in a heavy downpour. Make sure the windshield washer fluid reservoir is filled.

Give the floor mats a good shake regularly to remove dried mud, leaves or sand that may be picked up by passengers' feet. Vacuum frequently to remove dirt from floor carpets and upholstery.

Spills and stains should be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent stains from setting. Keep a stash of tissue paper and wet wipes to clean dirty spots before carrying out serious cleaning later with the right equipment.

For leather seats, use a leather cleaner and conditioner regularly to prevent the leather from cracking. For upholstered seats, use an appropriate cleaning foam or shampoo, followed by a protective leayer. Always check for colourfastness first by testing a small patch in an inconspicuous area.

Keep loose items in a secure place like the glove compartment, side pockets and other cubby holes. If you have ornaments on the dashboard, make sure they are properly secured.

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The car battery starts the engine when you turn on the ignition. Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over to supply the car's electrical needs while restoring the charge to the battery. Prolong the life of your battery by getting into the habit of turning off all the lights, heated rear window and radio before you switch off the car engine.

To check the condition of your car battery, look for signs of cracks and other physical damage on the battery case and corrosion at the connections of large battery cables. A cracked battery needs to be changed immediately as the electrolyte leaking out is a mixture of sulphuric acid and water.

Top up the battery with distilled water whenever necessary to ensure that the acid level in each cell is above the plates. If you have a maintenance-free battery, you can skip the battery water, but you still have to check that the battery is secured and the terminals are corrosion-free.

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Engine oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, reducing wear and tear. It helps keep the engine cool by dispersing heat that arises from the friction of moving parts. It also keeps dirt and deposits away from the engine, absorbing dust and other particles, and coating the engine parts to prevent rust and corrosion.

Engine oil has to be changed at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. The intervals also depend on your driving patterns. Constant stop-and-go driving and dusty conditions may require more frequent oil changes.

Mineral oils are refined natural oils; synthetic oil is manufactured; and semi-synthetic oils are a blend of the two.

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Always wash and dry your car before waxing it. The paintwork must be clean and free of dust and dirt.

Wax your car in the shade.

Read the instructions on the wax product you are using to avoid making mistakes. Some brands work better when you let the wax dry a little before wiping it off; others require immediate wiping.

Avoid using too much wax in one go to prevent gobs from forming.

Apply wax in small, circular motions to one panel of the car at a time.

Use one towel to wipe away the wax residue, and another to polish the surface to a shiny finish.

Waxing is a process that requires time, patience and stamina.

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Keep your tyres properly inflated. Under-inflation increases heat build-up in the tyres, causing them to wear out more on the outside and shorten their lifespan. It also reduces fuel efficiency and makes steering unresponsive. Over-inflation causes tyres to expand more than needed, and also wear them out in the centre.

Each tyre wears out at a different rate as each supports a different weight. Tyre rotation should be done every 7,000 to 8,000 km to achieve even tread wear and maximise tread life. Tyres should be balanced whenever they are remounted.

Look out for the tread wear indicator which shows up as a continuous line running across the entire tread when the tyres begin to wear out. These lines become visible at approximately 1.5mm below the tyre surface - a sign that it's time to change tyres.

Maintain car tyres at the manufacturer's recommended pressure. Some marques will even advise a different level for front and back tyres, and if the car is carrying a heavy load or doing a long distance journey. The spare tyre has a lower recommended pressure than the main tyres.

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper