10 Essential Car Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car


Wouldn’t you want your car to be looking as fresh and new as the first time you drove it home from the showroom? Car maintenance is a difficult process that requires precision, discipline and not to mention time and money on your part. Yet, most car owners would like to make their vehicles last longer and give a lifetime of good service.


This is not impossible to achieve! All you need for this to happen is to take care of the car’s needs. Follow this comprehensive list of essential maintenance tips for your car to increase longevity and continue owning a vehicle that looks eternally new and shiny.

1.      Park in a covered garage
Parking your car inside protects it from natural elements. Too much sun, heavy snowing or just stray animals - something as basic as bird droppings can harm your vehicle if it is parked outdoors. It is best to car park in a nice shaded area that has a de-cluttered space dedicated solely to your car.

2.      Do not delay repair work
Not getting time to go in for your monthly car service? You should know that even a smallish chip on your windscreen should be repaired immediately. Prolonging repair work can take away from the life of your car. Even if it is a very small issue like a light fixture, you need to get it repaired ASAP.


3.      Read the User’s manual thoroughly
Usually, people buy a car and forget all about the manual. A thorough read of the owner’s manual can give you heavy insight into the workings of your vehicle. It might come in handy when you are stuck with a problem at hand and are fastidiously typing ‘car mechanic near me’ on Google because you have no idea how to solve the issue.

4.      Clean your car regularly
A good wax and wash for the outsides and some super-cleaning for the insides every month will improve the health of your car. Do not procrastinate or delay this process. Even if you are new in town, just find out the nearest service centre by tying in the area, for example, a quick Google search for ‘car service brisbane northside’ will yield a good many number of search results, you can pick and choose a service according to your convenience. 

5.      Preserve your seals and weather-stripping
You can use a rubber protectant to wipe your door and window seals from time to time. If you feel like there are minor leaks from your car’s weather-stripping, get it repaired immediately. Do not let rainwater seep inside your car; it will damage your upholstery in no time.

6.      Stock touch-up paint
Keeping a small can of paint handy will let you touch up the small chips that your car gets every now and then. However minute the chip is, it should not be kept unattended.

7.      Avoid petrol stations with a fresh fill
When the tanks are freshly filled at station, a lot of sediment is stirred up by the turbulence that in turn can clog your fuel filters and injectors. Hence it is advisable to avoid a station with a fresh fill. Go back the next day, or go to a different station for the time being.


8.      Keep your Tyres inflated, rotated and balanced
Regular checks for tyre pressure, wheel balance and regular tyre rotation goes a long way in keeping your wheels sturdy and making the tyres last longer. You can check your tyre pressure and add air if needed all by yourself. This saves you time and money and increases the life of your vehicle.

9.      Improve your driving technique
We’ve saved the best for the last! The smoother you drive, the longer your car will last. This is simple common sense, is it not? However, people with a bit of a rash driver inside of them find it difficult to let go of that adrenalin rush from driving at full speed over bumpers, taking sharp turns, quick brakes and initiating fast take-offs. This is taking away from the longevity of your car. 

Start by being a responsible motorist, keep your speed below the limit, make smooth transitions every time you take a turn or brake – Good driving habits will not only save you money and time, it will make your car last longer.


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