10 Tried and Tested Ways to Prolong the Life of Your Vehicle

Proper handling and maintenance of one’s car is essential as it helps in prolonging its life and performance for longer periods. While it is expensive to buy a new car every few years and also repairing a car that may be on its last legs, the following tips are helpful extending the life of a vehicle and save money in the long-run.

Drive Gently

This is one of the major tips that ought to be done by any driver. It not only helps reduce road accidents but also the cash spent on maintenance and constant repairs on replacement of some broken parts. It includes; accelerating gently from stop lights and stop signs, avoiding abrupt braking and completing smooth and non-aggressive turns.

Cleaning the Interior

Excess dirt and grime in the interior of the car act as sand paper creating unnecessary abrasion that can wear down the carpeting. To prevent this, it is advisable to have a floor mat and to vacuum the car on a regular basis.

Checking on Your Tires and Wheels

If the tires have worn unevenly or the wheels are unbalanced, vibration can cause excess stress on suspension components therefore contributing to extra trips to the mechanic and a hefty bill. Therefore, taking time to clean the tires and unbending the bent wheels and uneven tread helps correct the problems before things get worse.

Keeping up With Fluid Changes

Checking on the vehicle’s fluids is paramount to its long service and durability. The transmission fluid needs to be changed regularly and therefore needs to be toped up for every service manual. The brake fluids, clutch fluids, and the coolant may not require regular attention.

Knowing What Weather Does To the Car

Adverse weather conditions affect car surfaces. For example, the sun’s UV rays, drastic temperature changes, water and salt. Options like purchasing car covers help preserve their appearances and reduce car rust hence keeping resale value of the car high.

Maintaining the Paint Job

Any vehicles’ paint’s primary job is to prevent its sheet from corrosion. It is therefore advisable to wax the vehicle with a high quality product which protects the clear coat and save the paint from fading over time.

Flushing the Engine and Topping it up With Mileage Appropriate Fluids

As the vehicle ages, it is advisable to use the appropriate fluids for the vehicles age and using high mileage oil as it grows older.

Schedule Checkups Twice a Year

With a trusted mechanic, this is a preventative maintenance which is a cheap insurance since it’s done by a professional.

Addressing Minor Problems Early

Here, it’s better to fix what is wrong and the car will last longer.

Be Aware of New Sounds and Vibrations

The more the service center knows about the problem, the more it is likely to be fixed right in the first time and for less labor costs.