In recent years, data has been released stating that 90% of South Africans are choosing to keep their cars for longer. This is according to the AA, and while the motivations are varied, 1 very good reason is that they can’t afford to buy another car. Another strong reason for why people are holding off on buying another set of wheels is because there’s something quite freeing about driving a car that’s fully yours, no further payments necessary.
If this sounds appealing and you want to keep your car around for longer, then you’ll need to put in the extra mileage (so to speak) and look after it. To help you do just that, we’ve gathered a few practical tips and suggestions that you can use to maintain your car and protect your pocket.
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Scheduled checks
Regular maintenance and checks tend to be ignored until there are flashing lights, bad smells, and a hugely expensive issue to fix. It’s not just that you could end up with a huge repair job on your hands, but delaying or forgetting about your car’s maintenance can take years off its lifespan. You may be forced to part ways with your car earlier than you want, for less than you could get.
Put it in your calendar and book your appointment in advance so that you can keep things running smoothly and catch potential problems early.
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Get warranty cover
If you’re worried about the cost of maintaining your car, then you could explore getting an affordable maintenance plan, or a service plan, or even warranty cover. The most affordable option for the budget-conscious is usually warranty cover, which pays for the repairs or replacements of your car’s parts if they fail unexpectedly.
Here’s what you get with warranty cover:
- Repairs are completed by an approved service provider.
- The repairs and replacements are paid for on your behalf.
- Buyers favour cars with a warranty because it indicates that issues would have been taken care of, so warranty cover improves your car’s value.
If you want to get an idea of what warranty cover costs, click here for a quick, commitment-free quote.
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Drive better
This is the most practical tip which has the most significant impact on your car’s lifespan. Essentially, how you drive your car influences the rate and degree of wear and tear, so things like accelerating quickly, braking hard, and sharp cornering and swerving can shorten how long your car will run smoothly for and speed up the need for repairs and new parts.
Take it easy on the road, drive carefully, and pay attention to things like potholes, pedestrians, and bad weather.
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Pay attention to your tyres
When we’re talking about how your car handles and how you drive, it makes sense to mention the wheels and tyres. These components are essential to a car’s handling, acceleration, brakes, fuel consumption, and its overall condition. With that in mind, it’s important that you be aware of low inflation pressure, uneven wear patterns, and excessive wear.
Now, because tyres and wheels can be on the expensive side of life, it could be a good idea to look at a product like tyre and rim insurance, which covers the cost of repairs and replacements of your tyres and wheels. Essentially, this means you can trust that these costs will be handled on your behalf and put you 1 step closer to making sure that you car lasts for years and years.
Find out how much this kind of cover costs by clicking here for a commitment-free quote.
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Lastly, don’t ignore the warning signs
It’s easy enough to see that little orange light go off and keep driving for even a few more days while you attend to life, the universe, and everything else. Sometimes it’s just that there’s a fluid that needs topping up. Other times, it’s a warning light alerting you to bigger issues.
The reality is, however, ignoring these lights could take years off your car’s lifespan. Rather make a point of checking fluid levels, like oil, transmission fluid, and coolant. We’d even recommend that you consult your owner’s manual or visit a trusted mechanic to get it checked out.
Hopefully these tips will help you keep your car much longer, not to mention in a good condition. The last thing you want is to be driving a ticking time bomb that you can’t afford to get rid of or fix up.
