12 ways to make your car last longer

12 ways to make your car last longer ..

The typical age of a car at scrappage is about 14, whereas the typical age of cars on the road is more like eight.But don't worry, there are a few easy steps you can take to increase the likelihood that your motor will live to a ripe old age.We've put together a list of straightforward advice to reduce operating costs and keep your car on the road for many more years with the help of loud cars.

1. Maintain the battery in your vehicle.

The battery in your car will deteriorate and run out of power if it is not used for an extended period of time.If your car is kept in a garage for an extended period of time, think about using a trickle charger to keep the battery charged or a battery conditioner if it seems to hold a charge less than usual.Jump starting a car after your battery runs out of juice increases wear on the battery and increases the risk of damaging the engine management system and other delicate electronics.Without a trickle charger, you should try to drive your car at least once a week, preferably more frequently during the winter.

2. Consistently replace filters

Regularly replacing your car's oil filter and air filter is crucial because they clog up over time.Although both should be replaced as part of routine auto maintenance, especially an air filter swap, they are both fairly simple tasks, so you might want to try them yourself to save money. Even a mobile mechanic can perform a service in the comfort of your driveway. By cleaning the air filter as well, you can frequently extend its lifespan. For instructions on filter cleaning and replacement, refer to your owner's manual. Only use genuine components. Long-term engine damage could result from using cheap, subpar filters. Learn more about what goes into servicing a car and see if there are any tasks you can complete on your own.

3. Drive smoothly… most of the time

You should always strive to drive with "mechanical sympathy." That entails operating your car's controls while being aware of how they operate.By doing this, you'll lessen component wear and stretch your fuel further. To lessen the need for abrupt braking, simple techniques like smoothly using the steering wheel, gearbox, and pedals are essential. Many more suggestions are provided in our guide on how to save fuel to help you drive more efficiently and get the most out of your vehicle.

(Your fuel and repair costs are likely to increase the more aggressively you press the pedals. Driving smoothly is better for the environment and your car, and you'll save money on fuel by anticipating the road ahead and accelerating and decelerating gradually.)

However, if you never rev your engine all the way up, carbon deposits can accumulate and clog the intake manifold, valves, and other components, reducing performance and possibly resulting in a misfire.Therefore, at least once every few hundred miles you should let your engine rev all the way to the redline, but only when the oil is warm and you're on a quiet road.Additionally, diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which are intended to capture harmful exhaust emissions, may become clogged in diesel vehicles.Once a month, a longer motorway run will assist in clearing them.

4 . Make use of the cooling system

The saying "use it or lose it" could be used to describe air conditioning.Over time, air conditioning systems inherently leak refrigerant gas, especially if they aren't used frequently.The cost of air conditioning re-gassing, which is typically around £50 and is available at most garages and fast-fit centers, may outweigh any fuel savings from leaving your air conditioner off.And yes, this also entails occasionally letting the cold air from your vents in the winter.If you believe that you require a re-gas, locate a garage nearby.

5. Change the leads and spark plugs.

Drivers are understandably less likely to perform their own maintenance as cars become more complex.However, another simple task you can complete on your own to improve the performance of your engine is replacing the spark plugs and high-tension leads.But keep in mind that you should always read your vehicle's manual first and follow the maintenance schedule.When looking at a spark plug, make sure it has:An insulator and electrode that are a light brown color with no signs of wear or deposits.An engine's condition can be hinted at by a spark plug that needs to be replaced because of wear over time.A relatively new plug that has a sizable gap between the electrode and the insulator may be a sign that the engine isn't operating at peak efficiency. You should speak with your neighborhood garage if that is the case.Leads need to be replaced if they have cracks or exhibit severe wear. We advise having this done by a reputable garage, but if you have the know-how and confidence, you could do it yourself as long as you adhere to the instructions in your vehicle's manual.Diesel vehicles don't use spark plugs, so this statement doesn't apply to them.

6. Frequently refill your fluids

Your car depends on its fluids, so running low on them could have disastrous results.Once every two weeks, remove the dipstick from the engine and check the oil by opening the bonnet while the car is on level ground. After wiping it down with a rag, dip it.If your car has a petrol engine, the oil level when it comes back out should be between the minimum and maximum markers and be a light yellowy-brown color.

Replace any oil that is dark or soiled. Dark-colored oil isn't a problem with a diesel car because soot accumulates in diesel engine oil as part of the regular combustion process.

The coolant reservoir, which you should top off with a mixture of 50% distilled water and 50% antifreeze, and the windscreen washer bottle are additional areas to inspect every two weeks.For the latter, we advise using screenwash that you can purchase.Washing up liquid contains salt and other additives that will harm paintwork, so resist the urge to use it.

7. Check your tires.

It's not hyperbole to say that checking your tires regularly, or once a week, could save your life. Tires are arguably the most important safety feature of your car.In order to save money, make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressures specified in your car's manual. Under-inflated tires will increase fuel consumption.Keep in mind that the front and rear tires may have different tire pressures. To balance wear and extend tyre life, some experts advise rotating your tires, which involves switching the fronts and rears.However, for safety reasons, we advise using the least-worn tires on the back axle because losing front grip (understeer) is much easier to control than sliding rearward (oversteer).

8. Maintain the service timetable

Your car needs routine maintenance to remain in top shape and last a long time.Service intervals are determined by the amount of time or miles driven, such as once a year or every 10,000 miles.Find out when your car needs a service and what needs to be done by consulting the owner's manual.The dashboard of many modern vehicles is equipped with warning lights that let you know when maintenance is required.Replacement of the air filter, spark plugs, and cambelt may also be included in a major service, depending on the vehicle and mileage.Even a minor service involves a wide range of tasks, but they all should include inspections for fluid and oil leaks, tire pressure and condition, excessive exhaust emissions, brake wear, and the proper operation of the steering, gearbox, clutch, suspension, lights, wipers, and horn.

9. Maintain the cover

How many of us actually use the garages we have? How many of them actually have car storage in them?Most cars are now left on a driveway or a road as they grow bigger and more corrosion-resistant, making the garage essentially an addition to the loft or garden shed.Consider this your justification for organizing your home. When you park your car in a garage, you keep it dry, secure, and free from harm from theft and vandalism.Additionally, it can lower the cost of your auto insurance. Consider investing in a high-quality car cover if you don't have access to a garage, especially if you leave your car parked for extended periods of time.

10. Rustproof your vehicle.

Metal corrosion is the biggest killer of vehicles made in the 1990s or earlier, even though modern cars are very resistant to it.Once it begins, many simply won't be repairable for a reasonable price.Avoid waiting for rust spots on your car to worsen by at the very least using touch-up paint to conceal the exposed bodywork before having it professionally resprayed.The front of your car could avoid initial paintwork damage if a stone-deflecting film is applied.You could also have the chassis properly rust-proofed, which involves putting a waxy substance inside the cavities to keep water out.It may ultimately help you save money, just like the other advice given here.

11. Avoid placing your hand on the gearstick and your foot on the clutch.

Some motorists have a tendency to operate the vehicle with the clutch pedal depressed. As a result, unnecessary friction is created when the clutch release bearing is pushed into contact with the clutch cover. The clutch may prematurely wear out over time.Similar to this, it can be tempting to rest your hand on the gearstick while shifting gears, but doing so puts stress on the selector fork and other internal components. The increased friction hastens the gearbox's deterioration.Make an effort to develop the habit of placing your left foot somewhere else in the footwell and moving your hand to the steering wheel.

12. Conduct basic and frequent inspections

Routine inspections are one of the simplest and most efficient ways to extend the life of your car.A checklist of necessary DIY inspections will help you spot issues before they become more costly to fix and may even enable you to avoid problems from arising in the first place.

We advise doing so as frequently as you can, perhaps every two weeks:

fuel
oil
rubber (tyres and wiper blades)
coolant
electrics
screen wash
engine air filter
spark plug (petrol engines only)
brakes
air conditioning
interiors
exteriors

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