I love my car. It has been a reliable method of transport for going on 15 years! In fact, it’s the only car I have ever owned. I have been lucky that it has stood up well to the test of time and has only had a few minor issues which have been solved by our local garage but as it gets older I have to face the fact that one day I will need a replacement.
It is a good idea to have a regular service, especially for older cars but there are a few maintenance tricks you can do at home which will keep it running for as long as possible and today I am going to share some of these with you.
- Where possible park your car under some sort of shelter; ideally a garage but a sun shield over the windscreen or under a tree in the shade is better than nothing as UV light can cause damage to the dashboard such as cracking and can cause the interior fabrics to fade.
- The better your tyres the better your car will handle and the less likely you are to have an accident which will ultimately decrease the life of your car. It is key to keep tyres inflated at the recommended air pressure as lower pressure can cause tread wear and reduces the vehicle’s gas mileage. I have recently had to replace one of my tyres as it was looking very worn out!
- You will probably find information about rotating tyres in your car’s manual. In general, it is recommended to rotate them every 6,000 to 7,500 miles to avoid uneven tread wear and it will actually extend the life of the tyres. If it’s time for a new set, it’s easy to find new tyres, especially since many companies sell them online, like the Jet Wheel Tyre website.
- Keeping your windscreen washing fluid topped up is a simple way to keep a clean windscreen and prevent build up that becomes impossible to clean properly!
- Avoid mash-the-gas-pedal-to-the-floor accelerations not only will this be more economical for fuel use but it reduces stress on the engine.
- Change the car’s oil and the oil filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Keeping it the oil clean, free of dirt and grime extends the life of the engine.
- Don’t forget to wash the vehicle regularly to get rid of any built-up dirt and road salt which can encourage rust, particularly along doors and on the undercarriage which will diminish the vehicle’s value and ultimately shorten its lifetime.
Do you have any car maintenance tips and tricks you’d like to share? Comment below!
I’m going to need to buy my first car soon, so I will have to remember these tips!!
I have been really lucky with my car it’s an 04 reg and hasn’t had any major issues *touch wood*. I’m almost scared to change it as it has been so good to use. These are some great tips though and I probably should wash it more often poor thing.
Buying a car in an investment, much like buying a house. I think it’s really important that we learn how to maintain it and fix it when possible. These are good pointers for car owners.
Great tips, these! We’re needing a new car as our old one is on its last legs. Every now and again it just doesn’t start and we need a jump, which is frustrating!
Great tips! We’ve had car trouble our whole lives until lst year when my parents bought us a lovely new car. Now we take care of it!
We have always had ours serviced regularly and I think that has helped keep it running for longer.
Great tips. I don’t think we take care of our car enough to be honest, I feel a bit guilty reading this and like I need to do more!
These are awesome tips to maintain a car! Car owners should take note all of these you have mentioned.
My mummy’s car is going in for a service next week so maintenance is really important. Tyres always get overlooked and are very important.
I think making sure that you have your annual service every year is important as it can highlight any quick isues x
I have only been driving for over a year now and my car is my pride and joy, I love these tips, I get mine serviced by Ford to keep it under warranty.
I’m terrible with car maintenance and always promise myself I’ll get better at it! Thanks for the reminder!
I really wish we had a garage to park our car in, it would be much better for it in the long run.
It’s so important to look after your car with regular check-ups.
We have just bought our 17 year old his first car and wish we had some shelter for it as the battery died in all the recent cold weather
I feel like maintaining your car feels expensive but it’s not when you think in the long-term. LIke buying extra tyres for different conditions seems like a pain but as you said, it makes a big difference in how your car performs and if you’re less likely to have an accident at least your premium won’t go up!
I saw your post on FB and I can’t believe it’s been 15 years! I had to check out your post. Awesome tips and yes I agree regular check ups help.