Get it serviced
In order to avoid having to pay a large sum of money when it comes time to pay for a service and repairs, there are things that we can all do to extend and improve the life of our vehicle.
There are many good and important reasons to have your car serviced regularly. Regular servicing extends the life of mechanical components, ensures that your car is safe and roadworthy, and is likely to make your car more reliable, provide greater economy and increase your resale value.
Cars that are not regularly serviced are more likely to break down and have their owners pay excessive amounts for car repairs.
Regardless of how well you care for your car, all cars need professional servicing.
Many people are unsure of how often a car needs to be serviced, strategies to reduce running costs and techniques for maintaining the appearance of a car.
Here are a few helpful tips.
Check your owner’s manual as this will specify how frequently your car should be serviced and the most important components and systems for checking.
For older cars, an oil and filter change is necessary every six months or 10 000km at an absolute minimum.
Of course, if you notice that your car is underperforming, this is a sign that attention is necessary.
The requirements for your car’s service will really depend on the make, model and any obvious problems, but any service should always include:
* The engine oil being changed.
* Replacement of the engine oil filter.
* A thorough safety check.
Nothing is more taxing on a car than reckless and erratic driving. Conservative driving will not only help to cut down the wear and tear on your car, it will also make your car more fuel efficient and reduce carbon emissions.
At home you can:
* Check your tyre pressure.
* Check your oil, water and coolant levels.
* Check your lights.
Further to this, the following points can limit your running costs:
* Maintain your car regularly, this includes servicing but also relates to the frequency at which you clean your car.
* Seek out and use a credible, trusted and qualified mechanics.
* Although it is not always practical or possible, try to drive in off-peak times.
* Limit the number of trips that you do, as much as possible try to combine errands so that you are not making multiple trips.
* Purchase your petrol on the days when it is cheapest. It is also a good idea to fill your tank to capacity on these days.
A car’s life varies greatly according to make, model, use, storage, driving conditions and environment, but regular servicing, repair and cleaning can help to extend the life of a car. More than any other factor, a regular service by a skilled and credible company will help to ensure the longevity of your car’s life.
Washing your car often, polishing it at least two times each year and vacuuming the interior as required will help to keep your car in optimal condition and looking good.
As much as possible, try not to park under trees that may drop sap from plants and bird droppings on your car’s paintwork.
Similarly, try to avoid parking in industrial areas where there may be pollutants, chemicals and fumes that may negatively impact your car.
Maintaining a car need not be stressful of exorbitantly expensive. If you ensure that regular car service and car repairs are done, you will almost certainly extend the life and performance of your car.
