Expand Your Cars Lifespan
We spend a lot of money on our vehicles, so why would we neglect them? The less effort we put into caring for our vehicles, the quicker they will wear down and quit working on us.
Here are some solid tips to expand your cars lifespan and get the most out of the investment you’ve made.
1) Keep Up With Regular Maintenance:
This covers a huge variety of tasks that need to be done to ensure your car stays in tip-top shape.
Some regular maintenance that should not be ignored includes:
- Keep up with oil changes – every 5,000 miles (or 6 months) is the typical recommendation
- Keep all fluids (transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid, and coolant) at proper levels
- Change the air filter regularly – about every 12,000 miles is what’s usually recommended
- Have the spark plugs changed as recommended as they wear out over time
- Have brake linings changed – these protect other parts of the brakes from being worn down or damaged
2) Don’t Ignore Minor Repairs:
Sometimes small issues may arise that we see as little annoyances but nothing worth worrying over, so we don’t bother having them looked at.
These small issues, however, if left for too long, can lead to bigger (and more expensive) issues down the road.
Anytime you notice something is not right, get it checked out. It is most likely an easy fix that will save you hassle and money later on.
3) Keep Tire Pressure at Recommended Level:
Having your tires at a higher or lower PSI than what is recommended can have negative effects on both your gas mileage and your vehicles handling. This can not only cost you more money (and it’s common knowledge that no one likes paying for gas) but the rougher handling of the vehicle can actually begin to wear out certain parts of the vehicle.
The recommended PSI for your tires will be located in your vehicles owner manual, and many newer vehicles display the tires PSI on the dash. It is an easy detail to keep track of.
4) Wash Your Car:
This seems like common sense; I mean, who doesn’t like a nice clean car?
Keeping your car clean both on the inside and on the outside make a big difference in your cars longevity.
Dust, dirt, and salt from the road can quickly cause scratches, rust, and worn out paint on the exterior of your vehicle; this is especially true during the winter when roads are slushy, dirty, and covered in salt and gravel.
Dust can also wreak havoc on your car’s interior – especially if it is leather. Dust can cause leather to look worn out and faded, and even dry it out and cause cracks.
5) Maintain The Battery:
The battery powers the electrical system throughout your vehicle. The older the battery gets, the less power it has and can maintain, and the more problems it can cause.
It is recommended to change your battery around every 5 years, but it might need to be more frequently if you start and stop your vehicle frequently (as the lack of time between usages can wear down the battery quicker).
Help Your Car Live Longer:
By following the tips and tricks listed above, your car is more than likely to have a long and healthy lifespan. Vehicles are huge investments and necessary to our daily lives – it only makes sense to do everything we can to keep them in the best condition possible.
