It used to be that cars would last someone a lifetime. Passing a car to their children (or even grandchildren) was relatively common, but it’s something that’s a lot less seen nowadays. And this is despite cars being developed to be more efficient and hardy, with the technology to make everything work seamlessly. This isn’t just an issue of “cars of today aren’t made to last”; it’s also with the car owner. There has to be a conscious effort in making a car last longer. Here’s what you can do to get started on that.
Read the Manual
A lot of people are guilty of not reading the manual. You can search on google anyway, and there’s always someone you can count on whenever you have questions. But what happens if you’re in the middle of the road and your car breaks down? Or what if your go-to person won’t pick up and you don’t have roadside assistance saved on your phone?
One of the best ways to look for solutions is to refer to your car’s manual. You can try to look for answers on the Internet, but they might not be specific to your car model. That’s why it’s important to always read your car manual ahead of time. Have it ready in your glove box as well. Also, you really should save roadside assistance on your phone.
Adhere to Maintenance Schedule
Everyone knows that cars should have scheduled maintenance, and they should do their best to adhere to that schedule. Making sure that your car and engine, in particular, are in tip-top shape will prevent any unexpected damage in the future. Set a notification at least two weeks before your scheduled maintenance so you can make arrangements ahead of time.
Ignoring maintenance repairs can lead to further damage to your vehicle, which can be a lot more costly than a regular check-up. By making sure the upkeep of your car is well-managed, you decrease the chances of major damages that can shorten the lifespan of your vehicle.
Park Your Vehicle Carefully
Parking is one of the skills a lot of student drivers find challenging. Despite the challenge, it’s important that you perfect this skill so that you don’t scratch or damage your and others’ cars when parking. Besides the aesthetic damage, incorrect parking can lead to the accumulation of stopping, accelerating, and forcibly turning your car’s wheel. This process of parking eventually leads to damage.
Thankfully, many car models today have an intelligent parking assist system that helps you back up or parallel park. It can guide you whether you are too close to another car or if you are safe to proceed.
Check Everything that Needs to Be Checked
It’s common advice to always check your brakes before driving. This is true because, as a responsible car owner, you want to make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive and that you don’t put yourself and others at risk on the road. The items in the checklist for your car are extensive. But knowing what they are will help a lot in making the vehicle run for as long as possible. Regularly check the oil levels, the coolant, and the air filters, which are usually among the sensitive ones.
Also, make sure your lights are fully functional, and regularly check your tires for their pressure. Another thing you need to check is the dyno performance of your car. Knowing how well the engine of your car works, especially within months or years, can tell you whether you’re doing a good job in increasing the longevity of your vehicle.
Car Storage Is Important
Choosing where to park is also important because you want to keep your car away from bad elements, weather, and creatures alike. If you have a garage, that is the most ideal because you have a roof over it, and you can control the humidity.
But if you are parking outside, make sure you do not park under a tree where birds can leave droppings and ruin your car paint. It’s best to get a car cover if your parking is outdoors, as it provides a layer of protection.
You Have to Learn More About Cars
If you want to make sure that your car lasts you for as long as it can, the only way to do that is through learning more about cars. Fortunately, there’s a number of resources to help you out. All it takes is for you to take the time to read and study them.