Tired-out tyres and battered batteries are a natural by-product of driving on the Island's narrow and congested roads.

But following a few simple tips from car experts can reduce wear and tear on your car -- and cut sky-high mechanic's bills if something does give under the strain of Stop-go driving, high temperatures and low speeds.

Bermudians are noted for their obsession with having gleaming cars. And they have a good reason for their fixation -- salt.

Washing the dirt and salt off your car is just one weapon in the fight to avoid spending a king's ransom on ridding a car of rust.

And Bermuda's strict regulations regarding relicensing helps to keep local vehicles in tip-top condition.

But if you are one of the thousands who dread parting with their hard-earned cash prior to their annual trip to TCD, here are few basic tips that may help keep your vehicle in good condition.

*** OIL Just like people -- a beautiful body's not worth much if you're suffering from a blood disease.

And oil is the lifeblood of a car, protecting and lubricating fast-moving metal parts -- but often ignored until problems set in.

Experts say that drivers should change their engine oil and filter periodically.

If you fail to do so, the filter will clog up causing the bearings to become worn and the rods to knock. Left unchecked, you could be left with a seized engine.

Most car manufacturers say drivers should add oil to their vehicles when level reaches the low or add oil mark on the dip stick.

*** TYRES Drivers should always check their tyre pressure at least once a month since all tyres leak a little air over time. Experts estimate that some tyres can lose up to half a pound of air a month.

According to the Automotive Information Centre, tyres should be checked with an accurate tyre gauge in the morning, before you drive your vehicle since all recommended tyre inflation pressures are always for cold tyres.

If you check your tyres right after you have been driving, the readings will be several pounds higher than normal.

Also keep in mind that hot weather increases air pressure inside tyres, while cold temperatures lowers it. Keep this in mind when checking your tyres in the summer or winter.

The amount of air drivers should put in their tyres depends on the vehicle, the size of the tyres and how heavy a load you will be carrying.

The owner's manual of all cars should state the recommended inflation pressure for tyres.

The Automotive Information Centre's suggested range for most passenger cars, minivans and small pick-up trucks is between 27 and 32 pounds per square inch, while larger trucks and sports utility vehicles tend to be higher by five to eight pounds per square inch.

Drivers should also keep in mind that inflation pressures may differ for the front and rear tyres.

If you wish to slightly improve your car's fuel economy, experts say that adding a couple of extra pounds of pressure will do the trick. But keep in mind that the extra air will make the tyres harder, possibly resulting in a rougher ride.

For those who carry weighty cargo in your vehicle, experts recommend using a few extra pounds of pressure to the rear tyres to offset the additional weight.

But remember to never exceed the inflation pressure displayed on the sidewall of your tyres. That number is the maximum pressure your tyre can safely handle. Anything higher than the number displayed and you run the risk of tyre damage when you drive over a bump or worse, tyre failure.

On the other side of the coin, under inflation can increase tread wear, affect handling, increase fuel consumption and even pose a risk of tyre failure.

*** TUNE-UPS A tune-up is a preventative maintenance practice involving changing a vehicle's spark plugs, air and fuel filters, and valves, which keep the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber at the right levels.

With Bermuda's high humidity and the stop-go driving conditions, a car's electrical system can suffer -- and the UK-based Automobile Association say more than 70 percent of its breakdown call-outs are electrical -- not mechanical -- faults, so it pays to keep an eye on plugs and points for corrosion and pitting.

*** WIPER BLADES According to the Automotive Information Centre, wiper blades are one of the most neglected parts of a vehicle.

And since the majority of driving decisions are based on how you view the road, good visibility is crucial, especially with the heavy `showers' Bermuda can get.

Contrary to popular belief, wiper blades do not last forever. Exposure to sunlight and ozone cause rubber to break down. Blades which streak, are cracked or torn need to be replaced.

Experts recommend that wiper blades be replaced every six months to a year.

And when inspecting your blades, do not forget to check the wiper arms and holders since a blade's ability to clean is also determined by the amount of spring tension on the wiper arm.

It is time to replace the arms when the blade can be pulled away from the glass with little resistance.

*** AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID If you want to avoid shelling out a fortune replacing a burnt-out automatic transmission, change your automatic transmission fluid.

Automatic transmissions create a lot of internal heat through friction and the American Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association estimated that 90 percent of all transmission failures were caused by overheating. Reportedly most of the overheating can be blamed on worn out fluid that should have been replaced.

Experts suggest changing your fluid and filter every 30,000 miles using the transmission fluid specified printed on your transmission dipstick or in your owner's manual.

Using the wrong type of fluid may affect the way your transmission shifts and feels.

*** JUMP START Stopping to help a motorist in need is par for the course in courteous Bermuda -- but make sure that being a good Samaritan to someone stranded does not backfire on you.

When jump-starting a car, extinguish any cigarettes, make sure that the vehicles are not touching and turn off your engine.

Connect the red jumper cable from the positive post on the `good' battery to the positive post on the low/dead battery in the other vehicle.

Then connect the black jumper cable from the negative post on the good battery to a solid ground (an unpainted metal surface like an engine bracket or a frame member) on the other vehicle.

Do not make the final jumper connection directly to the low or dead battery itself since the final connection usually produces a spark. By keeping the spark away from the battery you minimise the risk of an explosion.

And it is recommended that you make sure that the jumper cables do not touch each other.

Once the cables are in place start the engine of vehicle with the good battery, running the engine at fast idle for several minutes before starting the other vehicle.

As soon as the vehicle with the low/dead battery starts, disconnect the cables.

*** SAFETY If you come across the scene of a bad accident, which just took place, pass well beyond the wreck before pulling off to the side of the road. This will allow oncoming vehicles' a clear view and plenty of time to slow down.

Safety experts recommend turning off the ignition of all vehicles involved in an accident thus reducing the risk of a fire erupting. However, never move an injured driver to obtain access to the car keys.

If the accident is serious or there is the chance that anyone may have been hurt, call for help. Be sure to stay on the line until the emergency dispatcher hangs up.

If you are not alone, have someone else call for help while you check the victims for injuries.

Conscious victims should stay put until help arrives, Those who are unconscious, should be checked to see if they are breathing. If they're not, administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

Safety experts insist that victims should never be moved unless there is an immediate threat to their life, like rising water, fire or leaking fuel.

They also recommend that everyone keep a first aid kit in their vehicle. The kit should contain bandages, tape, scissors, blankets, latex gloves, flashlight, reflectors, gauze pads and rolls, safety pins and alcohol swabs.

And always keep a couple of quarters, for pay phones, hidden somewhere safe in your car -- even if you have a cellular telephone.