Buying another car is something that most drivers either want to do or have to do. For those wanting a new car it's usually because they want an upgrade or they fancy a sports car or some other luxury.
But for some drivers they 'have' to buy another car because their old one has given up. It's probably at the stage where it's breaking down far too often to make it worthwhile keeping the car.
But before you get to this stage, you can do certain things to help extend the life of the car.
When You're Not Planning to Drive it for Some Time
If you're planning to store your car for some time then it's obviously best to store the vehicle in a garage.
Assuming the garage has a flat surface (it should do but check) then you could try not using the parking brake. This can help extend the life of parking brake.
Another tip is to fill the fuel tank as it can reduce the chance of condensation.
You can also remove the battery to reduce the chance of it running out of juice.
While You Are Driving
The way you drive your vehicle has a lot to do with how long it will last.
Don't drive like you're in some kind of race. Not only is it dangerous but it also shortens the life of the car.
When turning (especially in a U-turn) try to move the steering wheel back to the center position as soon as it's safe to do so. If you don't then it can wear out the steering mechanism.
When you start the engine try not to rev it up as this can wear down the engine.
Other Tips
If you notice a rust spot then don't ignore it as they can get worse over time and cause the repair costs to increase dramatically.
If you see a small chip in your windscreen then again, don't ignore it. Get your car to a windscreen specialist and they should be able to repair it for a reasonable cost. It will be much cheaper than waiting for the chip to develop into a large crack.
When cleaning your car use good quality wax as this can help the paint job keep in great condition for far longer. If you're parking it outside for a while, especially in bad weather, then apply a second layer of wax.
Check your tyre pressure on a regular basis as this should help extend the life of them. You should also check to make sure the wear on the tyres is even, if it's not then ask a specialist to check the wheel alignment.
But for some drivers they 'have' to buy another car because their old one has given up. It's probably at the stage where it's breaking down far too often to make it worthwhile keeping the car.
But before you get to this stage, you can do certain things to help extend the life of the car.
When You're Not Planning to Drive it for Some Time
If you're planning to store your car for some time then it's obviously best to store the vehicle in a garage.
Assuming the garage has a flat surface (it should do but check) then you could try not using the parking brake. This can help extend the life of parking brake.
Another tip is to fill the fuel tank as it can reduce the chance of condensation.
You can also remove the battery to reduce the chance of it running out of juice.
While You Are Driving
The way you drive your vehicle has a lot to do with how long it will last.
Don't drive like you're in some kind of race. Not only is it dangerous but it also shortens the life of the car.
When turning (especially in a U-turn) try to move the steering wheel back to the center position as soon as it's safe to do so. If you don't then it can wear out the steering mechanism.
When you start the engine try not to rev it up as this can wear down the engine.
Other Tips
If you notice a rust spot then don't ignore it as they can get worse over time and cause the repair costs to increase dramatically.
If you see a small chip in your windscreen then again, don't ignore it. Get your car to a windscreen specialist and they should be able to repair it for a reasonable cost. It will be much cheaper than waiting for the chip to develop into a large crack.
When cleaning your car use good quality wax as this can help the paint job keep in great condition for far longer. If you're parking it outside for a while, especially in bad weather, then apply a second layer of wax.
Check your tyre pressure on a regular basis as this should help extend the life of them. You should also check to make sure the wear on the tyres is even, if it's not then ask a specialist to check the wheel alignment.
