We all want to get an extensive, consistent performance from our cars. As with many things in life, this can be achieved with a little preparation instead of regular heavy work. Cars operate on a series of connected systems so if a single component isn't functioning properly it can have a knock on effect to the overall performance.

Ultimately, a well maintained car is much more economic to you and the environment. To avoid any unnecessary roadside breakdowns we have prepared a guide to aid your preventative maintenance.

The first idea we recommend is keeping a record of any maintenance done to your car. Garages will prepare and update your record when ever work is carried out. Not only can you monitor when to carry out regular maintenance from keeping a record but you can also keep a track of the costs of repairs and start to observe patterns and possible areas for improvement. A record of maintenance will also add credibility to your cars history making it more attractive to buyers when you decide to sell your vehicle.

Oil left to sit in your engine system for prolonged stretches of time will gradually break down. As the oil breaks down it will increase in acidity and start to corrode internal components. If left unattended the damage could require extensive work to return your car to normal. Higher qualities oils are more resistant to breaking down and reduce the risk of damage.

Depending upon your driving habits, on average, it is recommended that you get an oil change at least every 4,000 miles. If your car is not being used for prolonged amounts of time it is important to perform maintenance to stop oil from settling. Start your car engine at least once a week and leave it to run for 10-15 minutes. This will help the oil to circulate and will stop it from settling.

Air filters form an integral part of your engines air intake system. Air filters can become blocked with dust and debris by varying amounts depending on the conditions of the roads you use. If you often drive through dusty, arid areas then you may need to change your filter every 1,000 miles. Average driving conditions will mean you will probably need to replace the filter every 5 or 6,000 miles. If your filter is blocked then more fuel will be consumed to draw through more air resulting in a significant drop in engine performance.

Blocked fuel filters can accelerate the deterioration of your fuel pumps. Your fuel filter should be replaced at least every 10,000 miles to reduce potential damage. To maintain your fuel filter try to avoid letting your tank going below a quarter full. Having more petrol keeps the fuel pumps covered and reduces the temperature around them.

Any dirt or debris collected from pumps at petrol stations will sink to the bottom of the tank so when you are almost running empty the bottom layer of petrol will be drawn into your engine. This in turn will distribute the debris around to other parts of your engine leading to more damage.

Similar to oil, coolants left to settle in your engine can break down and start to wreak havoc. The damage is carried as the acidic nature of the decomposing coolants produces an electrical charge which can spread to major areas of your engine such as fuel intake at the manifold which can spread to the cylinder heads and gaskets. If the damage does continue then major repairs will be needed. Coolants need to be changed and the cooling system drained and cleaned every 8,000 miles to prevent damage from occurring.

Try to avoid sharp and unnecessary braking whilst driving. Overuse of your brakes causes the brake fluid to warm up which will then cause water in the fluid to boil. As the water boils air pockets spring up blocking the supply of fluid and ultimately reducing effectiveness and response time. Brake fluid perishes as the ratio of water content increases. Failing to change your brake fluid will lead to damage being caused to solenoids in your braking system and also to brake callipers.

You will need to replace your brake fluid every 15,000 miles depending on how much you use your brakes. Also if you have antilock brakes fitted you may have to replace the fluid more often.