The economic downturn and soaring high petrol prices make it difficult to buy a new car. And honestly, if you take a little care, you can extend its lifespan and steer clear of costly new purchases and repairs.
By following just a few simple steps, you can certainly retain value for those wheels and avoid unwarranted high-Rupee repair surprises. If you are wondering how to let us walk you through them.
Have you seen the difference between a well-maintained car and one that is unkempt? It is shouting visible, right! Well, timely and regular servicing is that difference.
Don’t let your car’s manual bite the dust. Go through it properly and keep track of the recommended service schedule. During the service, the mechanic changes the engine oil- vital to ensure safety. He also performs a routine check from general wear and tears to brakes, air pressure in the tire, coolant levels, steering alignment, shockers, etc.
It helps in the early detection of underlying issues that might not be visible but exist. If they discover an issue that immediately needs to be taken care of, you’d be thanking the heavens for the amount of money you’d save on the otherwise costly repairs. Sending in your car for regular servicing is supremely important for extending its lifespan as it ensures the car’s optimal performance and fuel efficiency, and ultimately increases your car’s lifespan.
Check the air pressure and working condition of your tires regularly- it is a guaranteed method to increase your car’s lifespan. The tires should not be under-inflated, or else they will affect the fuel consumption and stability, making it riskier to drive and more prone to accidents. Excessive pressure, on the other hand, will result in loss of traction.
Proper air pressure keeps the tires sturdy and makes them last longer, and common; nobody likes to buy new tires. Also, remember to rotate your tires every six months. Further, to make the most of your fuel tank, get them checked regularly against wear and tear.
Without regular cleaning, you might notice rust under your doors and spots on your seat covers within 2 years. Another 1 or 2 years down the line, and components like brakes and clutch pads will also catch the corrosion. And you don’t want to be spending thousands of rupees on getting new seat covers and rust-related repairs.
Keeping your car neat, both inside and out is the key here, and it will help the car look new and retain a higher trade-in value.
Keep your car away from the sun and park it in a shade or a garage to protect its paint from fading away. Also remember to regularly wash your car because road salt, mud, tar, and pollution tend to accumulate and damage the paint rapidly. To protect the inside, wash the footpads and vacuum the dust off the seat covers. Keeping an air spray and air purifier in the car will accentuate the interiors. Sending in the car regularly for dry cleaning is a good option to protect the visual appeal- outside and inside.
Rash driving doesn’t make you look cool and is bad for your car too. Violent driving, hard braking, Jackrabbit acceleration, and continuous use of brakes or clutch will definitely cause early wear and tear of your vehicle by increasing the strain on car components and fuel economy.
Continuously holding onto the clutch while driving or unnecessarily touching the pedal will impair the clutch springs prematurely. This might cost you a lot in terms of the damage caused to the car’s efficiency and your wallet. Depending upon the car type, the clutch plate ranges from Rs 1500/- to Rs 40,000/-. If you want to slow down the car, apply breaks slowly instead of pressing onto the clutch plate.
Accelerating immediately to the target speed as soon as the car starts will surely damage the engine.
So, start your car and drive slowly and gradually until the car reaches its functional temperature (also known as a closed-loop). This reduces the tension on the engine while the oil is still cold and thicker. This eventually results in good engine health and the long life of your vehicle.
To keep your car steadfast and safe as the kilometers add up, check and change the oils, don’t rash drive, get your tires checked, wash it regularly, and never postpone repairs.
A well-maintained car not only speaks about you as an owner but will also not leave you hanging out to dry in the middle of a deserted road.
And even if it does, Allianz Roadside Assistance Plans are always there to take care of your stranded vehicle with the most rewarding services.
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