April is car maintenance month for me.

First thing will be new tyres. I don’t do a lot of driving (in the region of 10,000km per year, which is apparently about half the average), but the tyres date back to last century. The front-left deflates rather too fast, and they are failing the matchstick head test, so I am almost embarassed to take the car in for a service with such worn tyres, given that the service guys have previously pointed out such problems. Not to mention the whole safety thing.

After that will be a service. I’ve long taken the view that if I have to have a car, preventative regular service is good for keeping it running reliably and efficiently. I’d much rather spend $ARGH every year or so on a proper 10K service than have it break down when I’m in a hurry somewhere and suffer consequent loss of wages and hassle, which would cost at least as much.

Alas, apart from getting past the due date for a service (the magic 200K this time round, in fact), the car has been complaining a bit. Spluttering a tad, like it’s been threatening to stall. Not good, and I suspect I’d better clear my Visa card for action this time round.

I also discovered a dirty little secret about my car. I’ve discovered the airconditioning uses CFCs. I gather there are ways and means of having it upgraded to be CFC-free. Something to look into.

PS. 9am Wednesday. And I just discovered a crack in part of the dashboard. I’m starting to think my car is moving into its autumn years. What’s thirteen in car years? Will it soon need the vehicular equivalent of a hip replacement?