I was wondering, what the weekly checks I should be doing on my car to maintain optimal condition. I've seen it mentioned around these parts a few times, but not quite sure what they are.

tyre pressure, Oil level, water level, I occasionally check my radiator coolant level too.

Is there any good tyre pressure gauges arround for cheap. Digital or dial, I don't mind. Don't suppose the correct pressures for punto tyres are floating around anywhere.
When you say water level, are you referring to the wondscreen washer ?

smithmr8 said:

Is there any good tyre pressure gauges arround for cheap. Digital or dial, I don't mind. Don't suppose the correct pressures for punto tyres are floating around anywhere.
When you say water level, are you referring to the wondscreen washer ?

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I have a mechanical extending rod pressure guage from PCL. Came with a tyre depth guage for about £7.

Weekly checks should be checking the oil level (from cold), topping up your screenwash, checking tyre pressures, checking tyre depth across the width of the tyre (useful for picking up suspension faults nice and early), checking your coolant level, and topping up with correct coolant-distilled water mix if necessary.

The main point of weekly checks is so that you can quickly identify when something is amiss before it causes major damage. For instance, if you coolant level is dropping due to a leaking radiator, you will notice that the level is dropping, find out that it's the radiator and replace it for about £30. On the other hand, the person that does not do their weekly checks will see the temperature warning light as the first indicator of trouble, and as a warning light, it's pretty useless since the head warping has probably already happened, leading to a £300 head gasket repair bill. In this instance, vigilance would save £270.

That sounds like quite a good deal. Both for 7£. I'll have a scout round for one online. What PSI does it have to go up to ?
I get why the checks need to be done, and am going to start doing them. I usually do coolant and oil every couple week. But have never cheked tyre pressure ect..
When should HT leads be changed. I don't thin think they've been done in a while. Certainly not since I've had the car. Is there any benefit to new ht leads ?

Once the HT leads insulation starts to break down, you can get problems with damp getting into them. Also, with repeated spark plug changes, the connections can get a bit worn, giving a poor electrical contact. They're not expensive, so if you don't know when they were last done, do them and the sparks plugs as a matter of course.

Unsure on Mk1 or 2 but...

Punto Mk2 recommended tyre pressures (bar)

1.2 8v - F2.0 R1.9
1.2 16v - F2.0 R1.9
Sporting - F2.2 R2.1
1.8 16v - F2.4 R2.1
1.9 D - F2.2 R2.1
1.9 JTD - F2.2 R2.1

Spare - 2.8

Taken from the owners handbook

Always safe to check brake fluid level aswell, which I'm suprised hasn't been mentioned

Ordered myself a tyre tread depth gauge, and have a digital pressure gauge on its way aswell. All for a whole £4.50, which I'm quite happy with .
I need to get some top-up oil for my car, as oil change was last done in July, not going to do one again right now. But.. I can't remember what one my car needs. 10/40W or something I think.. :/

Reuzoath said:

tyre pressure, Oil level, water level, I occasionally check my radiator coolant level too.

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Yeh they sound good to me. It's what I do weekly.
Although lately my radiator water has been pretty low often. Which is never good!

smithmr8 said:

I need to get some top-up oil for my car, as oil change was last done in July, not going to do one again right now. But.. I can't remember what one my car needs. 10/40W or something I think.. :/

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Yeah thats right.

http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=67&sku=429

Oh, hehe. Thought it seemed a bit familiar . Thanks.

When checking brake fluid, try to minimise the number of times you remove the reservoir cap. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, and will suck in all that moist air every time the lid is off, reducing its life.

For mk1 owners, you can even test that the low fluid sensor works. You either need long arms or an assistant. Park the car on level ground, put it in gear, turn the key to 'MAR' and release the handbrake (the handbrake warning light should go out). Now press the nipple on the top of the fluid reservoir and the handbrake light shoudl come back on.

You say your oil was changed in July, being that now is February, that is 6 months gone. Even if you haven't done that many miles, it's probably time for a change.

Sainsburys for tyre pressures if you live by one, it's about the best around.