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The satisfaction of not having to make any auto loan payments doesn’t end there, though. Although you are no longer bound by a loan agreement, it is nevertheless crucial that you set aside some money for unforeseen car needs.
Most of us would like to keep driving till the trans-engine gives up. In any case, since they are mechanical components, failure is inevitable.
The question at hand is how we can maintain the car’s operation for a long period.
I’ll offer some advice on how to extend the lifespan of your car and how to maximize your investment.
Table of Contents
Keep up with oil changes
You’ll think frequently changing your engine oil, as advised by the owner’s manual, is a routine – right?
Nope.
Many people frequently disregard the vital parts of their car. Poor engine performance, leaks, increased fuel consumption, or total engine failure are some of the things that can occur if you don’t change your motor oil as frequently as is advised.
Although it may seem difficult, changing the oil on your own is not. If you invest in the proper tools, such as a set of ramps, some wrenches, and an oil drain bucket, it is also cost-effective.
If you shop around, you may get those items for less than $100. The investment will pay off handsomely.
When using non-synthetic oil, several manufacturers advise customers to change their engine oil every three or four months or after 3000 miles, whichever comes first. Depending on the car, you can drive up to 15,000 miles on synthetic oil before having to change it.
Related: 4 Reasons You Should Work On Your Own Car
Replace your fluid.
Remember that the car also needs fluids like brakes, power steering, and coolant to function. Nowadays, the majority of cars will warn you when it’s time to change, so it’s crucial that you do.
I once saw my friend’s friend’s foreign vehicle’s brake system fail because she neglected to include brake fluid in her routine maintenance. The brake fluid container was overflowing with debris and becoming noticeably thicker. Many vehicles won’t alert you until it’s too late.
Maintain your tires.
We deal with the snow, salt, and unforeseen potholes since we live in upstate New York. Therefore, check your tires’ tread to see if they have enough traction for the upcoming snowy season. If not, make replacing them a first priority.
Rotating your tires will improve steering and prevent tire side wear patterns, keeping your machine in top condition and protecting your front axles.
Make sure to use the recommended tire pressure to save on fuel. The driver’s side door frame on the majority of cars will have a tag attached with all the necessary information. The car will have to work harder and use more gas if the tires are not inflated to the proper pressure. On the contrary, too-inflated tires will cause the vehicle to jolt and be challenging to stop.
Guard your car against the elements.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a car garage and am unable to cover my vehicle every day like my neighbor does. I’m thus mentally ready to accept that the four seasons will gradually damage the paint on my car.
In some seasons, I can choose how to reduce the impact, but not in others.
For instance, the front bumper of every decent trip I take will have bug splashes on it. The only way I can get them out is to personally wash the car with a sponge and shampoo, since going to the car wash doesn’t help. I am capable of doing this.
However, I have no control over the car being covered in a few feet of snow or hearing the car being hit by snow salt as I’m driving. These widely dispersed microscopic dents are sometimes difficult to see from a few feet away, but the closer you get, the more obvious they become.
Spend a bit more money on quality.
I’ve owned many cars in my life. I can tell you that paying for cheap parts could cause more problems and more money to repair. There is a reason why aftermarket parts are popular; in addition to the price, it is also difficult to ignore that they are not as durable as the original parts. So you tend to spend some more money in a short amount of time.
Many of my friends disagree and think I’m throwing money down the drain because I chose to put the most expensive fuel in my car. When I use the cheaper gas in my car, somehow I always end up with injector related issues. I’m not sure if it’s pure bad luck on my side, but after my first three cars, I’ve decided to do otherwise. I haven’t had any issues since.
My car’s driver-side coil spring broke early this year, and my mechanic asked if I wanted to replace it with an OEM part or an aftermarket one. I initially responded, sure, why not, when she informed me the difference would be $300. I later withdrew my response and suggested using the original equipment manufacturer’s part. Why did I change my mind? I plan to keep the vehicle for at least another five years. Also, according to my study, the lifespan of an aftermarket coil spring is three to five years.
I do not see myself going through it if it will only cost me $300 more. It will be a superb investment in my opinion.
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Gio founded TheGrowthFocusedGuy in January 2020 because he was fed up with debt.
His mission is to document his journey to Financial Independence in order to motivate and inspire others to get out of debt and begin building generational wealth.
