Buying a car is expensive whether you are looking at a new one or a used one. There is the cost of the car, then dealing with insurance and getting the papers to put it on the road. It all adds up and can be out of the budget of a lot of people. The best thing is for the car that you have now to last a long time so you don’t have to deal with getting a new one.
Some people are able to buy a car and have it for decades. Often, the car looks like it is brand new because they take such good care of it. There is no secret sauce or mystery around how to get a car to last you a lot longer than you expect. In this article, we will go over some tips to help you take care of your car so it lasts a long time.
1 – Keep it maintained
If there is one secret to keeping your car running in top condition, it is to follow a regular maintenance schedule. There is a reason that things need to be done in a certain timeframe and when you understand that then it will always be running well. A good example of this is getting your oil changed on time and changing the filters too.
Another thing to change on time is the battery. The best car batteries will make sure that the car starts up right away and that the electrical works. When the battery gets old it can throw off the timing of the spark plugs and this can damage the engine and cause its life to be shortened.
Even seemingly benign things like the tires will keep your car running well if you maintain them. Rotating the tires will keep them wearing out evenly so that they last longer.
2 – Make routine repairs
Make sure to read through the owner’s manual of the car so that you understand when parts need to be changed or adjusted. You should make a spreadsheet that will help you schedule everything so that things get done on time.
A good example of a part that needs to be replaced on time is the timing belt. If you neglect this then eventually it will break and the engine will be ruined. Knowing when to change it reduces this risk and makes sure that you don’t suffer a needless breakdown.
3 – Be a better driver
Bad drivers end up with cars that don’t last very long. For starters, they are more likely to be in an accident that cuts the life of the car very short. It isn’t just the risk of an accident at play, however.
Driving too fast and then braking hard will ruin your brakes and put a massive strain on the engine so it can’t last as long as it should. When you drive the speed limit and give the car ahead of you plenty of space you will have a car that lasts a long time.
