New Years Resolutions To Focus On In 2022

As we head toward Christmas and the end of what has been another challenging year, we all have certain goals we’d like to reach in the new year. Maybe you want to quit a bad habit, start your own business or be more active. Whatever your New Years resolutions might be, everyone has something they’d like to focus on.

Considering the large number of vehicle accidents related to poor vehicle maintenance, and our continued involvement with TyreSafe, we decided to compile a list of New Years resolutions that can help vehicle owners. As a driver in the UK, you are faced with many different challenges but here are a few things you can do in 2022 which will not only benefit you but also other road users.

Top New Years Resolutions: Regular Vehicle Check-ups

While your car has to pass an MOT every year, and many drivers also book a service, you should perform a check-up twice a year. This can help increase your car’s lifespan, improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and overall performance. Getting a professional technician to perform a vehicle check-up every now and then can also save you some money as they could identify potential issues early on before they become expensive and dangerous.

Check Your Fluids

Staying on the topic of vehicle check-ups, you should take the time to check your fluids at least once a week. This includes your car oil, coolant, windscreen washer, brake and clutch fluids. Your car needs these fluids at the right levels to keep you safe from point A to point B. By regularly checking and maintaining these, you help will keep your car running as it should for longer.

Recommended: When Should I Change My Engine Oil?

New Years Resolutions For Tyre Safety In 2022

We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your tyres in excellent condition. Make tyre safety part of your New Years resolutions priority list for 2022 as they can greatly impact how your car drives and how safe you are on the road, especially in cold, wet or icy conditions like we have in the UK.

You should check your tyre pressure and tyre tread at least once a month while also doing a physical inspection for any damage. This includes tyre bulges, cracks or whether there are any objects lodged in the tread.

While the right tyre pressure depends on the type of car, which can be found in your vehicle owner’s manual, the minimum legal tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm. However, many experts recommend replacing your tyres long before they reach the legal limit, at around 3mm.

Follow The Right Oil Change Schedule

While you can quickly add water to the reservoir when the level is low, changing your car oil at the right interval is of the utmost importance. You should be able to see when you should schedule an oil change in your vehicle’s manual.

Thankfully, improved oil formulas and lower emission fuels have eliminated the old rule of performing an oil change every 3000 miles (5000 km). While you can change the oil at home, many people prefer taking their car to a professional as they are better equipped and more experienced.

New Years Resolutions And Quick Vehicle Fixes For A Safer 2022

As a vehicle owner, you are often faced with unfortunate and unforeseen issues such as a chipped windscreen or deteriorating paint on the bodywork. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about it too much as it can be quick and easy to fix.

If you can’t do it yourself, simply visit your local Elite Garage service centre as they will be able to fix it for you or point you in the right direction. If you have a cracked or chipped windscreen, get it fixed as soon as possible.

Remember, even the smallest chip can quickly turn into bigger cracks which could potentially result in your windscreen shattering. Paint chips that have been left unchecked for too long can also result in your vehicle rusting and a full respray can be rather expensive.

Follow The Rules And Stay Within The Speed Limits

We can all agree that the continuous roadworks and the average speed sections on some of the motorways are extremely frustrating. They often cause long traffic jams and can result in drivers becoming impatient and exceeding the speed limit.

Many of us are guilty of that, especially when we’re running late. However, speed limits play a pivotal role in keeping everyone on the road as safe as possible. Do your part and stick to the speed limit! Make this one of your top New Years resolutions for 2022, even if you’re in a rush!

Keep A Safe Following Distance

Here is another of our top New Years resolutions vehicle owners should deem important. Maintaining a safe following distance between you and the car in front drastically reduces the likelihood of an accident. A good way of checking your distance is by applying the two-second rule by using a fixed point in the distance.

As the driver in front passes this point, you should be able to count two seconds before you pass the same point. Remember, when driving in wet or icy conditions, you should adjust your distance to four seconds which will give you extra time for braking.

Give Way To Other Drivers

Everyone has somewhere to be but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the rules of the road. When we have right of way and we’re in a rush, it’s tempting to keep going and ignore other drivers at a junction. While you may have the right of way, not slowing down may be extremely dangerous as other drivers might take a chance which could lead to a potentially serious accident.

As far as automotive New Years resolutions go, we can’t argue with this one! Giving way to other drivers is not only the safer option but if you give them a gap, someone might return the favour when you are in a hurry and need to get into the right lane.

New Years Resolutions For The Environment

The way you drive can have a big impact on the environment and we can all make a few changes to help the environment. For many of us, all it takes is to simply slow down as driving at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than driving at 70mph. As mentioned earlier, having the correct tyre pressure for your specific vehicle is another way to ensure you minimise the amount of fuel.

Recommended: Driving Habits That Could Damage Your Car

Drive Less, Exercise More

Make the most of your motoring New Year resolutions by focusing on driving less and getting fit. Exercise can change everything so why not do fewer miles in your car in 2022?

Instead of using your car for short journeys to the shop, you should rather walk, jog or cycle to increase your fitness levels. While the focus is on staying active, your vehicle’s mileage can quickly accumulate which can decrease the resale value of your car.

Which New Years Resolutions Are You Putting In Place?

From tyre safety and regular vehicle maintenance to driving less, letting people in and changing your driving habits, which of these New Year resolutions are most important to you? We’d love to hear from you so please find us on social media and leave a comment using the hashtag, #EliteNewYearsResolution

To find out more about how to look after your vehicle in the New Year, contact any of our branches nationwide. You can also book a free vehicle check where our professional, friendly technicians will inspect your car for any clear and obvious issues. From there, they will provide you with a no-obligation quote if your car needs any repairs or replacement parts.

If you suspect anything is wrong with your brakes, regardless of how small it may seem, book a FREE Visual Brake Check at any of our Elite Garages. All technicians across our 13 retail branches are expertly trained to offer you the best possible advice and service, and are fully trained to ensure a professional brake repair.