DIY MOTORHOME HEALTH CHECKS

If you’re one of those motorhome owners who never opens up the bonnet, viewing it as the territory of the garage, you’re exposing yourself to the risk of big bills if a fault occurs in the year or two between services.

It’s a similar story with the technical stuff inside the vehicle. Getting into the habit of carrying out some quick checks every few months or so – or at least before significant trips – can help you spot problems early, before they develop into a failure or an expense.

Now, with lead times on many parts extended because of the three-headed monster known as CovidBrexitWar, it’s not just cost you need to worry about, either – you might miss your holiday entirely if the parts are on back order. And many, many things are (ask anyone who has recently ordered an electric vehicle!).

So it’s more important than ever to look after your stuff and maximise its longevity. Even if that does mean venturing under the bonnet…

BASE VEHICLE

■ Topping up oil

Keeping your vehicle fluids topped up is key to its longevity, and maintaining a watchful eye on the fluid levels also serves as an early warning indicator of any problems.

Engine oil is one of the most important fluids to get into a habit of monitoring regularly, and it’s vital to use the grade of oil recommended in your owner’s manual. The manual is the definitive guide – always follow that printed advice over anything you read on the internet or in well-meaning (but often misguided) forums.

Oil used to be so simple. Back in the good old days, your mineral engine oil had only one grade - monograde. You simply selected the correct grade for summer and then changed to a slightly thinner grade in the winter months.

Then along came this