Proper maintenance is necessary to extend the lifespan of your car. You’ll want it to always look brand new and run in tip-top condition. How do you make your car last and get to its golden years?
Below are valuable tips about how to make your car last longer. These can help you increase the life expectancy of your vehicle (Scrap my car UK).
Tips To Make Your Car Last Longer
1. Check the battery of your car regularly
Consistency in using your car is important. Otherwise, its battery will deteriorate and go flat. If your vehicle is left unused in the garage for long periods of time, replenish its battery via a trickle charger. If it doesn’t charge as fast, use a battery conditioner.
Prevent your car battery from getting depleted because jumpstarting puts extra strain on it. Its engine management system along with other sensitive electronics will be damaged, aggravating the wear of your vehicle.
To avoid any of the above untoward instances, take your car for a drive at least once a week, especially during winter.
2. Make it a habit to change your car’s filter
Renew the oil filter and the air filter of your vehicle regularly As time goes by, these components get clogged.
Scheduled servicing is often required for this task, although it is relatively easy. You can change the air filter by yourself, saving you money along the way.
Try washing your car’s air filter to prolong its life. You can refer to your handbook pertaining to cleaning and changing it. See to it that you are using genuine parts, too. Otherwise, your engine can become damaged in the long run if you utilise cheap and low-grade air filters.
Read: Debunking 8 Common Car Driving Myths in the UK
3. As much as possible, drive your vehicle smoothly
Sympathize with the engine and the mechanical structure of your car when driving. You need to understand and have full knowledge about its controls as well as how they work.
Doing this reduces the chances of vehicle wear and allows your fuel to go far. It might sound simple but smooth use of your steering wheel, pedals and gearbox are essential. Clearly look ahead when driving to steer clear of braking suddenly.
Your engine ought to be fully revved up, or else a build-up of carbon deposits will take place and soil the valves and the intake manifold, among other parts. Your car will no longer function efficiently and a misfire can happen.
Drive your car to the red line to pump up its engine for every segment of a few hundred miles, but only if the oil is warm and the road is unperturbed.
If your car runs on diesel, there are likely to be glitches in congested diesel particulate filters. The function of DPFs is to close in deleterious exhaust emissions.
Take your car on a long motorway drive once a month to decongest them.
4. Turn on your car’s air-conditioning
When it comes to the aircon of your car, you must use it, or you’ll lose it.
In the long run, if you don’t regularly use your car aircon, it is bound to spurt refrigerant gas. You’ll end up paying for an air-conditioning re-gassing bill ultimately if you scrimp on your aircon use- although you may think you’re saving on fuel.
Even in the winter, your vents ought to blow as well.
5. Consistently replace your car leads and spark plugs
Cars are now more intricately set up, making owners leave the servicing job to professionals. However, changing your spark plugs and leads is something you can do on your own to maximise your car performance. Check your vehicle handbook in this regard.
Wear happens when your spark plugs need replacing or it could take its toll on your engine.
6. Replenish fluids regularly
The consequences are dire if the fluids of your car aren’t habitually refilled.
Once every two weeks, you should look over your engine oil. Parking your car on flat ground, unlatch the bonnet, and take out the dipstick. Wipe this component with a rag and then give it a dunk.
When you remove and check the dipstick, the oil level should reach between the lowest and highest marker. Does your car have a petrol engine? A yellow-brown color will stick.
If the oil is dark-coloured and dirty, replace it.
The coolant reservoir should be inspected fortnightly, too. It should be filled up with 50% distilled water together with 50% antifreeze. Check the windscreen water bottle as well.
7. Inspect your tyres
Checking your tyres regularly, once a week, is literally a life-saver. After all, they are the most crucial safety features of your vehicle.
Your fuel will quickly be used-up if you run on under-inflated tyres, so make sure that they are filled with sufficient pressure. To check what’s recommended, consult your car handbook.
Pressure on your front tyres may be different from your rear tyres, and you can rotate them, as suggested by various experts. It will level the wear of these parts and extend their life.
8. Regularly have your car serviced
Your car should be serviced regularly to keep it in excellent condition and make it stay for long. Servicing your vehicle may be according to time, or the miles you’ve driven. As an example, it may be once a year, or when it ran for 10,000 miles already. Again, refer to your handbook to know the signs and symptoms that call for service.
If your car has a modern design, it is apt to show warning lights on its dashboard so that you can be alerted if it needs maintenance.
Generally, minor servicing tends to be carried out once a year, and a major one every two or three years.
Conclusion
It is a smart investment of your money to employ proper maintenance and servicing for your car. Other than these, you’ll prevent wasting your time on unnecessary troubles or repairs. Finally, you get to keep your peace of mind when you use your car.
Your vehicle will last longer if you stick to the best tips and instructions and avoid abusing its limits.
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