CAR’s guide to the lubricants you need for your car

Engine oil is probably what your mind jumps to when you think of car lubrication. Engine oil will ensure the metal internals of your engine don't directly rub together, regulate heat and collect the microscopic debris that naturally occurs in your engine over time. In other words, you need good engine oil if you like your engine working.

Also known as transmission fluid, transmission oil will keep your gearbox in good condition and running smoothly which is why it's worth changing it periodically. Different types are available for manual and automatic transmissions and brands will recommend certain types so it's worth looking in your car's handbook. Some transmission oils can also be used for lubricating differentials, another handy bit of vehicular maintenance if you know what you're doing.

Any mention of garage lubricants that fails to mention WD-40 is not complete. In terms of versatility, WD-40 is right up there with the screwdriver and hammer and needs to be in every person's tool kit. Included in the near-endless list of things it can do is stopping doors from squeaking, removing tar spots from cars and even keeping garden tools rust-free. This particular opinion comes with a handy eight-inch flexible straw bit for reaching awkward areas with ease.

The perfect solution to a rusty nut that won't budge is a good blast of penetrating oil. They're designed to slip between seized threads and help loosen them, ideal if you have an older, rustier car. While these oils are exceptional for loosening bolts they aren't very good when it comes to general lubrication as the volatile nature of penetrating fluid means it evaporates very quickly.

Car jacks hold an awful lot of weight and can be dangerous if not properly maintained, which means you should do your best to make sure it's in tip-top condition.

Petrol-powered chainsaws, lawnmowers and other gardening tools will more often than not use a 2 stroke engine that requires special 2 stroke oil. While 2 stroke engines may be extinct in the car world nowadays, those who drive early Saabs and Trabants will know all about mixing oil and petrol and the resulting blue smoke.

Most car cleaning products work as degreasers to lift grease and grime, in fact, the only lubricant you'd ever use while cleaning is clay bar lubricant. Clay bars are brilliant at picking up embedded bits of dirt in car paintwork but can drag across your paint causing damage if you don't use a decent clay bar lubricant like this option from Auto Finesse.