If you want your vehicle to last longer and get the most out of your money, maintenance is an essential part of car ownership. Cars can easily be neglected and therefore don’t have the longest lifetime. The statistics don’t lie – with the average vehicle age being 13.9 years before scrappage.
If this seems alarming, fear not! There are a number of simple steps you can take which will help your car lasting longer. Here’s how you can keep your car in tip top condition.
Maintain car battery
If you’re not a regular driver (for example, you may live in a city centre) your battery will degrade with lack of use and end up going flat.
You want to avoid having to jump start your car as this can further strain on the battery. Therefore, a good idea is to invest in a trickle charger which will keep your car topped up. However, ensure you give your car a drive at least once a week if you are leaving it for extended periods of time.
Tyre health
Keeping your tyres in good condition is essential. Firstly, ensure that your tyres are topped up to the recommended level to get the best out of your vehicle in terms of efficiency and safety.
Checking the tyre depth is also something you should be doing once a week as having a certain tread depth is a legal requirement. This is easy to do at home and can be executed with a 20p coin alongside checking tyre pressure.
It’s always a good idea to check tyre quality and tread depth when purchasing a used car from a dealership.
Replacing spark plugs and leads
You’ve likely spent your own hard-earned money on your car, so you will definitely want to optimise its performance. You can easily do this by replacing spark plugs and high-tension leads when they are past their point.
You can often check the quality of a spark plug by looking for signs of melting, wear, and that it still has a light brown electrode and insulator. With leads, check for signs of wear such as cracks. If you feel that your plugs and lead are in poor quality, consult your local garage for a replacement.
Changing the filters regularly
Replacing a car filter is actually quite a simple job which can be done from the comfort of your own home garage.
It’s essential your oil and air filters are changed regularly as they can become clogged when neglected for long periods of time. Ensure your filters are clean and are of high quality.
By following these simple tips, you can extend your car’s lifespan by years and get the most out of your vehicle!
