A typical age for a vehicle when it is scrapped is 14 years old, whereas the average age of vehicles that are on the road is closer to eight years.
Don’t fret There are a few easy steps you can take to give your motor the best chance to reach the end of its life.
With the help of RAC patrol ambassador Chris Burgess, we’ve compiled some easy-to-follow guidelines to minimise running costs and keep your car in good condition for many years to be.
1. Maintain your car’s battery
If you don’t utilize your vehicle for prolonged periods of time, the battery will degrade and go flat.
It is a good idea to use a trickle charger to keep your battery charged if your vehicle is parked in garage for a long duration or battery conditioner if the battery seems to be holding less charge than it normally does.
If your battery does go flat, the need to jump start a car places additional stress on the battery and may end up damaging motor management and other delicate electronics: an added burden of wear.
In order to maintain your battery with no trickle charger, you should make an effort to drive your vehicle every day whenever you can – especially in winter.
2. Change filters frequently
The filter for your car’s oil and air filter get clogged with time, and it’s essential to keep them in good condition.
They are recommended to replace them as part of scheduled car servicing, but they are both relatively easy jobs and especially an air filter swap – so you might like to give it an trial and save money in the process. You can also hire an auto mechanic who can perform your service in the convenience at your doorstep.
It is often possible to prolong the life of the air filter by washing it regularly, as well. Consult your handbook for advice on filter cleaning and changes make sure to use genuine components. Poor quality, cheap filters could damage your engine in the long term.
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3. You can drive smoothly… most of the time.
Mechanical sympathy is something you must practice at all times. This is essentially using the controls on your car and understanding how it functions.
This will help reduce the amount of component wear and you’ll make your fuel go further. Simple things such as using the steering wheel, gearbox and pedals smoothly are key as is looking ahead in order to minimize the necessity for sudden braking.
However, if you don’t rev your engine fully carbon deposits could accumulate and clog the intake manifold, valves and various other components, which can reduce efficiency and potentially causing the engine to fail.
So, it is important to let your car rev up to the redline, at minimum, every few hundred miles but only when the engine is hot and you’re on a the road in a peaceful area.
Diesel vehicles may also experience problems with clogged diesel particulate filters (DPFs) They are designed to trap harmful emissions from exhaust.
A longer run on the motorway at least once a month will aid in clearing them.
4. Use your air conditioner
“Use it or you’ll perish’ a phrase which could be applied to air conditioning.
Air conditioning systems can emit refrigerant gas in the course of time, particularly if they aren’t frequently used.
Affecting your air conditioner to turn off can save you money, but you could end up with an expense for the gassing of your air conditioner instead.
That’s right, it’s occasionally letting your vents flow cold in winter, too.
5. Replace spark plugs and lead
As vehicles become more complex, motorists are less inclined to do their own servicing.
However, replacing spark plugs and high-tension leads is another easy job you can tackle yourself to boost your engine’s performance.
Bear in mind that you should always consult the manual for your vehicle prior to making any decisions and adhere to the maintenance schedule but.
If you are inspecting spark plugs, be sure to check the following:
A light brown electrode as well as an the insulator
there are no signs of melting
No signs of wear or deposits.
A spark plug that is in poor state could mean that it has worn over time and requires replacement or could indicate the condition of the engine.
If the plug is new and has formed significant gaps between its electrode and its insulator, it could be an indication that the engine is not performing as it should. If that’s the case, you must consult with the garage in your area.
If the leads are cracked or are showing signs of excessive wear, they must be replaced. We suggest using an approved garage to complete the task but if you have the experience and are confident, you can do it yourself as long as you follow the guidelines in your manual for your vehicle.
This doesn’t apply to diesel cars as they don’t employ spark plugs.
6. Top up fluids regularly
Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle and if they are not replenished, it can have serious consequences.
Examine your engine oil every at least once every two weeks by opening the bonnet (with your car standing on a level surface) and removing the dipstick. Make sure to wipe it clean using some rags and give it a dip.
If it’s back the oil level is supposed to be between the minimum and maximum markers with a light yellowy-brown colour if your car has an engine powered by petrol.
Dark, dirty oil should be changed. However, diesel engine oil is prone to accumulating soot as a result of the normal combustion process, so dark-colored oil shouldn’t be reason to be concerned with diesel cars.
Other areas worth checking fortnightly include the coolant reservoir which you should fill with 50% distilled water in addition to 50% antifreeze, and the window washer bottle.
We suggest buying a commercially-produced screenwash for this purpose.
Don’t be tempted to use washing-up liquid because it’s a mixture of salt as well as other ingredients which can harm paintwork.
7. Take a look at your tyres
Tyres are the most vital safety feature, and it’s not a stretch to say that checking them regularly every week – around once is likely to help save your life.
The tyres that are underinflated will also cause an increase in the amount of fuel consumed, so make sure you keep them topped up to the pressures recommended by your car’s handbook to reduce your expenses.
Remember, tyre pressures may differ for both rear and front-facing tyres. Some experts suggest rotating your tyres (i.e. changing the fronts to the rear and vice versa) in order to balance out wear and prolong tyre life.
In the interest for safety we suggest making use of the tyres with the lowest wear on the rear axle, because the losing front grip (understeer) will be less difficult to control than a rear-end slide (oversteer).
8. Keep to the service timetable
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top condition and prolong its life.
Service intervals are determined by mileage or time at least once per year or at least every 10000 miles as an instance.
Go through the manual to find the date your vehicle needs a service and what work is required.
Modern cars come with warning lights that are on the dashboard to inform you that maintenance is needed, too.
It is generally recommended to budget for a ‘minor one-time service every year and a major’ service every three or two years.
A minor maintenance includes changing the oil and oil filter, as well as replacing any other fluids that are required.
Depending on the car and mileage, a major repair may also involve replacing the spark plugs, air filter and cambelt.
The variety of tasks that are included in even minor services is numerous, but all must include checking for leaks in fluids and oil along with tyre pressures, condition and excessive exhaust emissions, brake wear, and the correct operation of the steering, gearbox, clutch, suspension lights, wipers, and horn.
You can keep on the right track with your vehicle’s maintenance and save money with a MOT or service plans to split the cost in two terms.
9. Cover it up
A lot of us have garages, but how many actually use garages? Let’s change the question what percentage actually keep cars in them?
As cars grow larger and more durable, many are placed on a driveway or a road, with the garage effectively being part of the loft or garden shed.
Well, consider this your excuse for a clear-out. Parking your car in a garage helps keep it dry, clean and safe, decreasing the risks of accidental damage vandalism, theft, and damage.
You could cut down on your insurance costs for your car as well. If you don’t own the benefit of a garage, consider buying a high-quality car cover instead – particularly if you park your car for long periods of time.
10. Keep the weight down
Manufacturers of motor vehicles are always looking at ways to reduce the weight of their vehicles in order to improve the mileage per gallon as well as comply with emission requirements.
Therefore, it makes a lot of sense for you to reduce the weight that is carried by your car at a minimum as much as is possible.
Carrying extra weight is sure to reduce the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. It also puts additional wear and tear on your tyres, brakes and suspension.
A practical solution is simply to eliminate any unwanted objects from the vehicle.
Start by looking in the pockets in the door and glovebox Then, look beneath the seats to find loose toys or bottles of drink.
Moving on to the boot take out anything you don’t need. Make sure to keep the toolkit, jack and locking wheel nuts in case of emergencies.
It’s important that you keep an emergency kit in there just in case you’re lucky enough to be able to have a breakdown.
11. Make sure your car is rust-proofed
Modern vehicles are extremely rust-resistant however, metal corrosion is the main cause of death of vehicles made in the 1990s and before.
Once it sets in, many simply won’t be economical to repair.
If you see rust spots on your vehicle Don’t let them wait to become visible – at minimum, cover the exposed bodywork with touch-up paint before getting it professionally spray-painted.
Applying a stone-deflecting film on the exterior of your vehicle could help to prevent paintwork damage initially.
It is also possible to have the chassis properly rust-proofed, that includes filling the gaps with a waxy substance designed to block water ingress.
Similar to the rest of the advice in this article, it can make you money in the long run.
12. Resist the temptation to modify
Modifying your car’s engine could reduce its reliability and decrease its longevity.
Tuning your engine to get more power can put extra stress on other parts, like the brakes when you drive more rapidly as a result.
Sportier, more sporty suspension results in wear and tear on the frames, subframes, and bushes.
Remember too, that any money you spend on modifications likely won’t increase the value of your vehicle.
However, the opposite is frequently the case. Since depreciation is frequently the most expensive cost of running a vehicle, reducing the resale value should not be taken lightly.
13. Avoid driving over potholes and rough tracks
Potholes can cause havoc to the suspension of your vehicle, as well as tyres and exhaust.
The rough edges of roads that have been neglected can cause sidewall bulges, tread separation and in some cases they can deflate tyres too. When you drive through crater-like pits suspensions may become out of alignment and shocks damaged.
In deeper holes, you could scrape catalytic converters, leading to holes, and the loss of power.
Where possible, it’s best to travel on roads with smoother surfaces in order to prevent damage and wear.
14. Make use of your brakes to decrease speed instead of shifting gears down
The braking of your engine, or the shifting of gears to slow down your speed, can cause damage to your drivetrain, particularly the clutch and transmission.
Using your gears to brake when travelling, especially at higher speeds, could shorten the lifespan for your vehicle. The damage could be more severe if you use many gears.
Your brake pedals are the best allies in preventing damage to your gearbox . They should be the first point of contact in case you need to reduce your speed.
15. Keep your car clean
There are many people out there who never wash their car (and perhaps you’re one of them! ) It’s important to keep your car clean doesn’t only mean self-importance: it could actually extend your car’s life, too.
Grit can get into moving parts and the chassis, leading to increased wear and corrosion. Bird droppings can play havoc with paintwork especially in winter, when road salt can be especially corrosive (so make sure you know what to do when stuck behind the gritter! ).
Automated car washes have hard brushes that can cause scratches on the surface – and they may miss a few bits. Whereas a hand wash, or DIY project, is generally considerably more complete.
You’ll need a pre-rinse before performing a deep clean . Make sure to use a suitable cleaning solution , not water-based washing liquid. Finally, dry the car with the soft the chamois.
A yearly polish will provide a layer of protection and help to stop the spread of rust.
It’s also important to keep the interior of your car clean by using a microfibre cloths and to remove any dirt and crumbs from the floor mats.
Applying a spray of protection to the dashboard plastics reduces the likelihood of cracking or discolouration. In addition, placing shaded windows on bright days helps too.
16. Don’t put your foot directly on the clutch and your hand on the gearstick
Certain drivers prefer to drive with their feet resting on the clutch pedal. This forces the release bearing into contact with the cover of the clutch, which leads to unnecessary friction. Over time, the clutch could wear down prematurely.
Similarly, it’s tempting to place your hands on the hand-held gear when you change gears, but this applies pressure to the fork of the selector and the other internal parts. The added friction speeds up wear and tear on the gearbox.
Make it a habit of moving your hands onto the steering wheel and placing your left foot in the footwell instead.
17. Don’t run low on fuel
If you are running low on petrol your fuel pump will draw on air, dust and sediments that can be found at the bottom of the fuel tank in an attempt to power the car.
The debris can block the system and eventually corrode your filter and pump which can block fuel flow and hindering your car’s start.
Owners of diesel cars should be extra cautious when it comes to low levels of fuel as the powerful injectors in their engines draw large quantities of oxygen into their system, which could cause the engine to stop turning over.
By keeping your fuel levels up, you can avoid expensive repair bills further down the road.
18. Don’t skimp on the parts
Manufacturers cover millions of miles and spend billions on the development of research to make sure their vehicles are as reliable as they can be. Why would they put their cars in danger by using cheap “pattern” components just to save a few dollars?
Utilizing original components can make you money over the long run by keeping your car on the road. When it comes to classic cars in particular using original parts, it is crucial to the future value.
Making sure your vehicle is running at its best also applies to the fluids you use.
Find the engine oil recommended in the manual and especially, if you drive a performance car that needs ‘premium’ fuel (e.g. super unleaded) and apply it. This is the purpose for which the car was created and developed for.