Media post: 7 Ways to Extend Your Car’s Longevity
Cars are something most people rely on every day, yet they can quickly decline in value, and they also sustain a lot of wear and tear.
A car isn’t an inexpensive investment by any means, and particularly with the auto market the way it is right now, you might be searching for ways to extend the life of your current vehicle rather than having to replace it.
The following are some ways to extend the lifespan of your car and get more use out of it.
1. Consider Paint Protection
If you get auto paint protection, it’s applied directly to your actual vehicle paint, chrome or alloy wheels, and aluminum as a clear coat. It creates a shine that’s mirror-like, and along with the aesthetic value, the paint protection will repel contaminants.
These contaminants can include things like acid rain, dirt, grease, industrial fallout, and mineral deposits.
If you have a protectant applied to your steel, chrome, aluminum, or alloy rims, it can also help prevent damage from the buildup of brake dust.
If you use paint protection, it reduces the maintenance you have to do to your car overall because it lowers your need for car washes and waxing.
If you’re hoping to sell your car at any point, when you have professional paint protection can help it look newer and add to its value.
2. Consider a Car Cover
A car cover, if you don’t have a garage or place to park your car where it’s under a shelter, can help prevent fading and scratching of not just your paint but also your interior. These can also protect your car if you live somewhere with a lot of rain or snow, or other extreme weather.
3. Be a Gentle Driver
How you drive plays a big role in the wear and tear your car has to endure and its lifespan subsequently.
You should avoid sudden starting and stop and follow the speed limit.
When you’re accelerating erratically and braking quickly, it’s going to use more fuel, and that’s expensive right now. Plus, when you’re driving fast and erratically, it creates more wind resistance that can be damaging to your car overall.
If you’re driving like you’re on a racetrack, it’s not only dangerous, but you’re putting unnecessary stress on all the parts of your car.
4. Go Through Your Owner’s Manual
If you’re like most car owners, there’s a strong chance you’ve never taken a look at your vehicle’s owner’s manual, but it exists for a reason.
Your specific car is going to have unique needs, so take the time to go over your owner’s manual. If there are particular maintenance schedules or advice in it, follow them.
5. Don’t Stress Your Engine When It’s Cold
A lot of the damage that you might inflict on the mechanical elements of your vehicle comes from starting your engine and its components when they’re cold, which puts stress on them.
If you can try and drive to do errands and daily tasks in a continuous sequence, it’ll help make sure that your car parts are warm and therefore lubricated, reducing the stress on your vehicle.
6. Watch Your Tire Pressure
Around 36% of cars are driven with their tires below the recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) according to Geico.
Part of keeping your car in its best condition possible is checking your tire pressure regularly using your tire gauge. This will then go back to your owner’s manual—check it for what your manufacturer recommends as the optimal pressure.
If you’re regularly driving on under-inflated tires, it can impact your fuel efficiency by as much as 2% for every pound of underinflation.
7. Check and Change Your Oil Regularly
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of regularly checking and changing your oil because this is how you’ll keep your engine running the way it should as long as possible.
Check your oil levels monthly because this will help you see how much your vehicle is using. That’ll allow you to be proactive about detecting any possible problems early on.
The general rule is getting oil changes every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever is first. However, that recommendation is a bit outdated.
Motor oil wasn’t the same quality as it is now, and oils don’t break down as quickly as they once did, nor do they cause sludge buildup as fast. Engines have also come a long way, so your owner’s manual might recommend you change your oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
