For many of us, the cars we drive count among the most significant investments we make in our lives. The amount of money we spend on our cars includes not just the one-off cost of purchasing the vehicle in the first place, but the ongoing costs of fuel, taxation, maintenance and insurance.
We can manage these with financing options. You might look to lower your costs in the long-term through something like a long-term lease. But however you pay for your car, looking after it will ensure that you spend less in the long-term. What should this ongoing maintenance look like? Let’s take a look.
Looking after your battery
If your car lacks a battery, then the starter motor will not turn, and the car won’t be able to start. Crucially, it’s critical that you keep your battery in good condition. This means regularly cleaning the battery, adding distilled water to cover the plates, and making sure that you keep the battery charged by driving it fairly regularly.
Cleaning the car
Cleaning your car isn’t just a superficial exercise. It’s one that will help you to spot defects that will inhibit the function, as well as the look of your car. It’ll also help you to avoid the risk of accidents, since a cluttered car with dirty windows is more difficult to drive safely than a spotless one with clean windows.
Check the Tyres
The tyres on your car are among the most important components. They’re the point that the vehicle actually contacts the road, and thus they have a significant say in how much grip you’re able to maintain.
Regularly inspect your tyres for damage to the sidewall. Make sure that they’re kept adequately inflated. And check the tread for signs of uneven wear, which could signify a problem with axle alignment, or with consistent underinflation (or overinflation).
The legal tread depth limit in the UK is 1.6mm. But before you reach this legal minimum, you’ll suffer a significant deterioration in grip. This will not only mean that you’re more likely to suffer a blowout or an accident, but that your fuel economy will suffer. Given the price of fuel, this is something to be concerned about.
Bear in mind that even if you aren’t driving your car regularly, the tyres will naturally deteriorate thanks to wear and tear. Get them changed every few years, even if you’re not putting in many miles.
Fluids
To function properly, your car relies on a range of different kinds of fluid. These include brake fluid, engine oil, coolant, and screenwash. Make a point of monitoring these regularly, and keep a supply of each to hand. This will make it easier to top things up where they’re needed.