Road safety: Why do we know so little about our motors?

And nearly seven in every 10 motorists have no clue how to check their engine coolant, a fluid which prevents a vehicle from overheating and if left unchecked can cause serious damage to the motor.

In fact, 57 per cent of drivers don’t even know how to change a tyre, while 47 per cent are also unable to even locate the jack.

As Car Care Week – October 10 to 17 –kicks off price comparison website Confused.com is urging drivers to take the time to get to know their motors and keep their cars roadworthy in a bid to keep Britain’s drivers and pedestrians safe.

Motorists are so laid-back about car maintenance 48 per cent haven’t even looked at their car manual, but with over 28.5 million cars on the road, road safety charity Brake and the website are urging drivers to love their cars more in a bid to cut down on accidents.

Katie Shephard of Brake said: “Driving is one of the most dangerous things people do on a daily basis. It’s vital that all drivers are doing regular maintenance checks of their vehicle to ensure they are safe on the road.

“Shockingly, five people are killed and a further 65 are seriously injured on UK roads every day. Brake urges all drivers to check their vehicle regularly to ensure they’re not endangering their lives, and the lives of innocent road users.”

Gareth Kloet of confused.com added: “Car maintenance is essential. We all love a bit of TLC so don’t forget your cars need a helping hand to.

“A lack of car maintenance can cause road safety issues and 72 per cent of drivers don’t know how to check their brake fluid. If a car has insufficient brake fluid, air can get into the brake lines and your vehicles ultimately could stop working and cause serious problems, not only for you but also for others.

“Make sure you do regular checks on your car and also ensure you have breakdown cover just in case the worst happens. Shop around for the breakdown cover you need as costs can vary greatly between providers; a comparison site is a great way to do this.”

To encourage the nation to care for its cars confused.com has put together a video offering a solution to car maintenance.