Whether you’ve just purchased a car from a used car dealer and want to keep it in top condition, or you’ve owned your car for years and are looking to maximise its lifespan, read on to discover some of the simplest yet most effective ways to stay on top of your car’s maintenance and to avoid wasting money on unnecessary car repairs.
Less Frequent Oil Changes
Whilst the common notion is that frequent oil changes help with the smooth and efficient running of your car, this isn’t necessarily the case. Changing your oil is especially expensive and modern oil is designed to enable drivers to travel further than ever before in between oil changes. According to the latest statistics, cars can run up to 10,000 miles without needing an oil change, which is vastly further than the 3,000 miles quote that many garages will claim.
Before you take a trip to the garage, ensure you are familiar with what your car needs. Often, garages will often upsell you other services or premium products. If you just need a basic oil change, then ensure you get just that!
Avoid Caliper Add-Ons with Brake Pad Changes
Brake caliper replacements are the number one service that garages will attempt to upsell you on. In most cases, when brake pads are replaced, they rarely need anything else changing alongside them. If your mechanic is recommending a full brake replacement, it is often worth taking your car for a second opinion as, in most cases, this is unnecessary.
Also, remember to check your tyre pressure often. If your keep your tyres topped up with air, they will last longer. Your car manual will have information on the correct amount of air for your car model. Ultimately, taking good care of your tyres is more important than spending extra money on the most premium tyres on the market.
Don’t Splash Out on Premium Tyres
People often think that expensive tyres are superior, but this is not necessarily always the case. Unless you spend a lot of time driving at top speeds or cruising on rough roads, budget tyres can be just as good, last well and, ultimately, keep you safe. Premium tyres are significantly more expensive, but you don’t get much bang for your buck with this, and you are unlikely to notice a difference with everyday driving. Instead of buying the most expensive tyres, look for tyres that have good reviews and are safe.
Change, But Don’t Flush, Your Transmission Fluid
Your car’s transmission fluid is responsible for keeping the gears working smoothly. Because most car owners are concerned about the expense of changing their transmission if it gets damaged, garages will often play on this by recommending you flush the fluid completely. In truth, all you need is a transmission fluid change.
Not only are flushes expensive, but they can actually cause damage to the car’s transmission. Instead, it is better to replace the old fluid little by little, as this keeps your car running smoothly without risk and without causing problems.
Check your car manual to see how often you should change your transmission fluid or, if you are unsure, consult a trusted garage. Cars are significant investments, so it’s only natural for owners to want to take the best possible care of them to protect that investment and ensure their car runs as smoothly as possible, for as long as possible.
