You love your car, and you would like it last. But what can you do? You may have already checked the tires and filled up the tank with gas, but that’s not all! Enjoy these 16 tips on how to make your car last longer than ever before.
1. Maintenance of your car’s battery
If you really want your car to last, take care of its battery. Bring it in for a checkup with the technician every year – at least once or twice if you live in cold-weather areas where temperatures dip below freezing during winter and are often low even during other seasons.
2. Regularly change your car’s filters
Make sure you change your car’s air filter and oil filters regularly. These are the most important things you can do to make your engine run smoothly, which will, in turn, help your car last longer!
If you don’t know how to get these items changed, ask for advice from a knowledgeable mechanic who’ll be happy to share their knowledge with you. If you know how to care for your car then you will be able to make it last much longer.
3. Drive smoothly… more often
Driving smoothly can help your car last longer by reducing wear and tear on the engine. Avoiding quick starts stops, sudden turns or lane changes will keep your vehicle in better shape over time.
4. Using your air conditioning all year round
Using your air conditioning in the winter is a good idea. If you use it sparingly, then when summer rolls around, and you need to run this vital feature, it’ll be less likely that something will go wrong with your car’s engine because of overuse.
5. Replacing your spark plugs and leads if you are a petrol
Many people don’t know that your car’s spark plugs are one of the most important factors in determining how long it will last. If you’re not a petrol head, this tip may be advanced for you and might require some research beforehand. For those who do like to get their hands dirty, replacing your spark plugs, every service won’t hurt.
6. Topping up your car fluids regularly
It’s always a good idea to top up your car fluids regularly. This includes adding more oil, water and power steering fluid as needed. The reason for this is because if you use these things over time without topping them up, they will break down or wear out quicker than usual, causing problems with the engine and other parts of the vehicle.
7. Checking your car tyres regularly
It’s a good idea to check your car tires and wheels regularly. This includes checking the pressure, looking for cracks and punctures in the rubber, and seeing if they are wearing unevenly. If you don’t maintain them properly, then over time, it will lead to problems with grip, which can be dangerous when driving on slippery surfaces or at higher speeds. Wheel repair is essential to prevent further damage and potential safety issues. Damaged wheels can affect the handling and performance of a vehicle and can also be a cosmetic issue.
8. Sticking to the service schedule is vital
servicing your car regularly is key to making it last. If you don’t, the vehicle will wear out quicker than usual, leading to problems with performance and safety.
The service schedule varies depending on your car model, but in general, it’s recommended that at least every year or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first), getting you car serviced every year can significantly increase the cars life says Sovereign Motor Engineers, who service cars and carry out mot in Tonbridge
9. Keeping it covered
simple, but if you are not using it, why not protect it with a car cover? It will keep the paintwork looking good and, at the same time, stop water from getting into crevices where rust can start to form.
10. Don’t overload your car
Why has the boot fulled all the time if you don’t need to, as this will have a negative effect on your car’s suspension?
A good rule of thumb is to keep the weight in the boot between 30-40 per cent, but if it’s at more than this, then you are risking damaging something important and being faced with expensive repair bills.
11. Resist the pure temptation to modify your car
No matter how tempted you are to make your car more powerful, but tunning your vehicle can put increased pressure on components that you don’t need to
12. Try Avoiding driving over potholes and unmanned roads so much
Potholes are the bane of many a vehicle owners life, and they’re also one of the leading causes for wear-and-tear on your tyres. Avoiding these is always advised to make sure that you don’t lose any more than necessary!
If you can avoid driving up unmanned roads, this will be a good thing for your car.
13. Keeping your car clean
Yes, you will have to get your bucket out, but keeping your car clean not only makes it look good but also means that you’re less likely to pick up any dirt or dust.
14. Avoid leaving your foot on the clutch pedal and resting your hand on the gearstick
We all do it but don’t. It’s bad for your clutch and gearbox as it can cause premature wear.
15. Don’t run low on fuel
Keeping your tank full will stop you from running out of fuel, which can cause problems in the future, like damaging your engine, putting strain on components that you don’t need to.
16. Check your engine warning lights immediately
If your car has any engine warning lights on, it means there is something wrong with the engine. This could be anything from an battery issue, oil leak to a broken valve or broken sensor, and you should have them checked out as soon as possible. Don’t go asking a friend on Facebook. At the end of the day, they don’t use a professional diagnostics machine, then they won’t have the answer.
A car is a huge purchase for so many people, and it’s something that helps us get from point A to point B. We all want to have the most enjoyable driving experience possible while your vehicle lasts as long as possible! To help make this happen, we put together a list of top tips for maintaining your car so that it will last longer than ever before. Follow these simple but practical methods anyone can use to keep the vehicle running smoothly–and be happy with their decision when they buy or lease another one in the future. Which of these ideas are you going to try?