When you have decided to buy a car you need the car to last for long. Without a doubt, this is very possible without as much expenses as you would think. The defining thing is whether the car is new or not.
Car mileage is an important thing when determining how a car should be cared for. Older cars with much more mileage require different attention in comparison to newer ones. You will notice that older cars consume more fuel if regular maintenance is skipped.
Another challenge that is attached to irregular car maintenance is when a car vibrates during acceleration. Performing regular maintenance is essential because though the maintenance costs are high, they’re not as high as repair costs. Further the car performance is kept at its peak when it is maintained regularly.
1. Drive carefully.
This could be interpreted in so many ways. Careful driving could mean observing road rules. It could also mean looking out for other road users. All these are great driver characteristics.
When it comes to making your car last for long, driving carefully means something totally different.
- As soon as the engine starts, give it time to warm up. This gives coolant enough time to rotate through the engine block.
- Don’t push the peddle to the floor as you start driving.
- Apply brakes gently.
2. Wash and wax.
Ensure that you use the right types of materials when you’re washing the car. For example, liquid soap, fibre cloth and sufficient. Before putting soap on the car, make sure that you spray it with water first. This removes debris that could cause swirls and scratches.
Afterwards, dry the vehicle with a fibre cloth and let it dry for some minutes. Later, get it waxed to protect the paint from scratches and swirls.
3. Engine oil and filter.
Engine Oil serves more purposes than most fluids within the engine. For example, it serves as a coolant, lubricant, sealant and protection. Well, as you can guess, serving all these purposes can lead to accumulation of contaminants.
And it is for this reason that you shouldn’t skip an oil change. Additionally, ensure that you check whether there is sufficient oil or an oil leakage. Though the engine dashboard warning lights usually alert the driver incase this happens.
The oil filter catches the abrasion materials found in oil that has been in the engine for some time. Hence the reason why it’s important to change the oil filter whenever you change the oil.
4. Tires.
Have you ever known that tires affect fuel economy. In fact there is a recommended tire and wheel set-up for all types of cars. This all depends on the vehicle’s weight and total load capacity.
In conjunction with the suspension system, tires keep the car attached to the ground while moving. Ensure that they’re well inflated up to the recommended PSI of 35. But this depends on the capacity of load that the Vehicle is carrying.
Further perform an assessment of the tires on all sides. Perform a coin test by putting a coin in between the tire tread to see how thick the tread is.
5. Maintain the battery.
The car battery can last for as long as 5 years. Given that your alternator’s performance is kept at optimum. The battery usually supplies energy for starting the car. Further, it keeps the accessories like radio and lights on when the car is switched off.
There are two types of batteries, some are maintenance free while others require regular maintenance. However the type of maintenance we’re about to talk about fits both of these types of car batteries.
Ensure the battery terminals are free of corrosion. Make sure the connections are intact because sometimes they become loose.
