The lifespan of your vehicle depends on how well you take care of it. Contrary to what a great many people think, new cars require maintenance. After all, that is how you get to keep it new. 

In countless ways, cars help us through our daily activities. They enable us to make the commute to work, get to places in time, and keep us safe on the road. It’s only fitting, then, that we work to maintain and make them capable of serving us well and long.

Poor maintenance practices can shorten the lifespan of your car and put to waste an important investment. Below we look at some of the common maintenance practices that compromise a car’s useful life.

Neglecting regular cleaning

You would think that a car’s appearance does not affect its operation and life. That assumption is wrong, however. Dirt, dust, and grime can bring about wear and tear on your car and fast.

Always keeping your car clean allows you to make the right assessment on the condition of your vehicle. This way, you can quickly spot damages to the interior or exterior of the car and repair them promptly.

Prolonged intervals of cleaning can harden dirt and require more abrasive cleaning, which can damage the paint. In many cases, it can even cause rust formation.

Avoiding inspection

Perhaps the best analogy in this case is your body. To remain healthy, you routinely visit the doctor. In the same vein, your cars should also be inspected regularly. At least once in 4 to 6 months, a qualified car mechanic should thoroughly inspect your vehicle. 

The inspection covers various aspects, including the condition of the car parts, and is typically done at a service centre. That is not all, though. You should also personally check the oil as well as other fluid levels and tyre pressure every few weeks.

Ignoring symptoms

It is not usual to hear rattles or squeaks when driving. You shouldn't shrug them off because they can indicate something serious. Instead, you have to get to an auto repair shop and find out the cause. If it is a small problem, quickly address it before it evolves into something worse and more expensive to solve. The earlier a problem is detected, the easier and cheaper is its solution.

Also, never ignore the warning lights on your car's dashboard or the engine lights. Car maintenance involves many things, and lights and other indicators help to point problems out. Don't get too focused on one aspect that you end up forgetting the other areas.

Neglecting wear and tear

Automakers build cars to last many years. Time and normal usage, however, will take their toll on a vehicle. If you own one, it is your responsibility to tend to these normal aging signs.

There's no way you can stop wear and tear, but you can slow it down and mitigate its effects. A worn part can affect several other components, so you have to be keen on which parts need immediate attention. For instance, worn-out threads on your tyres can strain the suspension system of your vehicle and other elements involved in braking. Promptly addressing this issue can prevent major problems from occurring. 

They say a small leak can cause a great ship to sink, so do not make the same mistake that could sink the proverbial ship. Always be attentive of repairs needed, no matter how seemingly insignificant. It's disheartening to see cars barely two years old but which are out of the road due to problems that stemmed from negligence.

Failing to plan for repairs financially

Maintaining a car comes at a cost, which may run from a few dollars to several hundred. It is a sound practice to set aside enough money to cover repairs and maintenance long before the need arises.

Imagine walking into a repair shop and discovering that the cost of repairing your car far exceeds what you had in mind and, more importantly, inside your wallet. In such cases, you will be tempted to ask the mechanic only to make the necessary repairs that you can cover.

The unaddressed issues may worsen and force you to get back to the repair shop. Cumulatively you will have paid even more. This is why you should have an adequate financial back-up to sort out all the issues at once.

Self-diagnose using DIY tips

To save on repair expenses, most car owners take it upon themselves to do simple maintenance. While this is encouraged, it can sometimes turn out to be messy. If you must do oil changes, tyre, and wiper replacements at home, always be careful. Don’t trust all the repair tips and DIYs you learn on the internet.

Today, cars are even more complicated, and a simple error when doing repairs can become costly. Always use the right tools to disassemble and assemble your car parts. When doing replacements, use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and do not carry out any repair you are not skilled at.

Visiting an auto repair shop when your car has a problem is still the most viable option. 

Not using recommended fluids

When you purchase a car, it comes with a manual. Take some time to read through the manual if you didn’t already. Sometimes the manufacturer recommends you use specific fluids.

Always stick to these fluids, be it engine oil, coolant or transmission fluid. Using different fluids can corrode some parts or make a system malfunction, which in turn shortens the lifespan of your car.

Not being mindful of manufacturer recalls

Sometimes, manufacturers roll out cars off production lines fitted with subpar parts or parts that don't function well with the rest of the car system. When this is discovered later, the manufacturer issues a recall for those parts.

The parts involved may not be that essential in some cases, but in most instances, you may need to stop by an authorised shop to get the fixes done. We understand this may come at a time when you are occupied with other things. Nonetheless, make a point of having the issue sorted. 

Ignoring recalls will almost always bring you harm and is counter-productive since your car may fail to deliver on its promise. When worse comes to worst, you will only have yourself to blame.

The power to keep your car in good shape lies within your hands. How well you maintain it will determine how long it lasts in good condition. Save yourself from uncertainty and troubles. Consult your trusted mechanic if there’s anything that you don't understand about your car. 

Author:

Sam O.