According to research published by IBIS World, the average age of UK motor vehicles is 9 years. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, it’s no wonder people are holding onto their cars for longer.
So, if you’re wanting to extend your vehicle’s lifespan, what measures can you take?
In this article, we’ll share five tips to make your car last as long as possible.
Get it serviced regularly
One of the most important ways to look after your car is to get a basic car service at a garage near you on a regular basis. Your car has many moving parts that wear down during the course of driving. Getting a car service keeps these parts functioning properly and reduces the chances of them failing altogether or causing further damage to the rest of your vehicle.
Drive as smoothly as possible
Good car maintenance doesn’t just happen in the repair shop. How you drive your car has a big impact on the state of its components. Unnecessary amount of accelerating and decelerating putpressure on your engine, brakes, steering and suspension.Try to move in a smooth and measured way to keep your car in good condition. This will have the added benefit of helping you to save fuel too.
Keep fluids topped up
The fluids in your car are what keep it running well and not replenishing them can lead to dire consequences. Check your engine oil, lubricants, coolant and windscreen washer on a fortnightly basis. You should also try and avoid letting your fuel tank get low, as your fuel pump will start to draw on unwanted materials like air, debris and sediment that can clog your engine.
Check trye pressure
Low tyre pressure wears out your tyres and increase the chances of a puncture. Italso increases fuel consumption and putsthe safety of you and your passengers at risk. As your car’s sole point of contact with the road, it’s vital you look after them properly. Check your tyres on a weekly basis and keep them inflated to the pressure specified in the owner’s manual.
Keep the weight down
Carrying excessive weight in your car is a certain way to wear out your tyres, brakes and suspension prematurely. So, it only makes sense to keep the weight of any cargo in your vehicle to a minimum. Remove any unnecessary objects from the storage areas of your car, including the boot, door pockets and glovebox. And don’t forget to look under the seats for any runaway objects.
It’s natural to want your car to last as long as possible. And if you follow our tips above, you should be able to significantly extend its lifespan. Which top could make the biggest difference to you?
