How to maintain your car so that it lasts longer
By taking care of a vehicle, not only do we ensure that it runs for longer but also that it doesn’t unnecessarily lose value. Below we will take a look at some of the ways that you can ensure your car is kept in tip top shape to run for longer:
Keep your battery running
This year in particular has seen cars up and down the UK sitting on driveways for long periods of time as we all adhered to lockdowns. Car batteries will degrade and eventually go completely flat. Experts recommend using a trickle charge to top up the battery should you find yourself using the car less and less; alternatively, taking your car for a drive at least once a week should help to keep the battery charged.
Run your air conditioning
While it may seem unusual to use your air conditioning more often to maintain it, but this is precisely what you should do (even in the winter). Despite the fact that it may use more fuel, air conditioning that is left unused for periods of time will leak refrigerant gas; the cost of having to re-gas your air con will ultimately outweigh the additional fuel costs of running it regularly.
Servicing is key
Ensuring your car is serviced on a regular basis will ensure that it is in the best possible shape at all times, and will therefore run for longer. Most of the time your car should be serviced every 10,000 miles or one year, depending on which is the sooner. During your service number of things will be checked and often replaced, including air filter, oil filter, oil, spark plugs and much more. Ultimately a service could identify an issue that can be easily resolved before it reaches a highly costly, and possibly damaging, stage.
Check your fluid levels
Checking your oil should not just be left to the professionals. In between services you should be regularly checking your oil levels to ensure you have a sufficient amount for any journey. Oil left unchecked, that drops below minimum levels, could have dire consequences for the longevity of your car. For example, oil levels that drop rapidly could indicate a leak, therefore checking often will alert you much sooner. Experts recommend doing this once every two weeks. In addition to this, you should also be checking your coolant reservoir, and topping up as necessary.
Check your tyres
Checking both the pressure and the tread of your tyres is a crucial component to your car’s safety. Under inflated tyres will ultimately mean more fuel consumption, and tread that does not meet the legal minimum of 1.66mm will mean that your tyres lose significant traction on the roads. Failing to look after and replace your tyres at the appropriate time risks a blow out, not only endangering your life and the lives of others on the roads, but also greatly damaging your car.
Clean your car
We all know a driver that cleans their car obsessively, and we all know a driver that rarely cleans their car. Which car do you think will last longer? Despite what you may think, cleaning your car regularly is not just about its appearance, but it will also ensure that you remove any grit, dirt or other corrosive materials that will inevitably get on your car as you drive. Leaving your car dirty could lead to corrosion and wear.
These are just some of a number of tips to maintain your car. Take a look through our Car Maintenance articles for more useful hints and guides to keep your car on the road for longer.