Citibank
Though it may not be obvious, every automobile comes with an expiry date. However, some cars run longer than their expected lifespan, while some retire years before touching their best-before date. The longevity of a car depends on how carefully the owner drives and maintains the car.
If you wish to drive your car for years to come, try to avoid these common mistakes that most car owners make to avoid paying a huge car repair bill.
Common Mistake #1: Ignoring regular maintenance
Not paying attention to the regular maintenance and repair of your car can eventually fall heavy on your pocket. The majority of car owners keep ignoring their car problems until the day their car breaks down in the middle of their drive.
To prevent such situations, ensure that you take your car to a professional mechanic for regular maintenance and repair. With regular maintenance, you can spot common issues before they escalate.
Ideally, you should schedule car maintenance every 5000 miles. It should include getting the transmission fluid, coolant, and thermostat checked, getting the brake pads replaced, etc. If you are looking for quality replacement parts without paying the premium price, consider buying from an online auto parts store.
Common Mistake #2: Changing engine oil too less or too often
Engine oil lubricates all the moving engine parts to ensure smooth operation, prevents heat generation due to friction, and removes dirt and engine wear particles. Not changing oil at recommended intervals can damage the engine considerably. It is recommended that you change your engine oil every 5000 miles.
Some people get their engine oil changed very frequently. Although that’s fine, it isn’t necessary and may only increase your maintenance overheads.
Common Mistake #3: Driving with low tire-pressure
Driving a car with a low-pressure tire predisposes you and everyone on the road to great risk. So check tire pressure regularly without fail. Also, make it a habit to check the tread depth frequently and rotate the tires every 6000 to 8000 miles or every 6 months.
Common Mistake #4: Ignore the spare tire
This is one of the most common mistakes that every other car owner makes. Spare tire tends to get flat over time. Inspecting it regularly is as necessary as checking other components of the car.
Every now and then when you are checking the tire pressure, make sure to check the spare tire too. Also, check the date of manufacturing; you should not use a tire older than 10 years.
Common Mistake #5: Using cheap or used car parts
In a bid to save money, many car owners use cheap and used car parts. They don’t realize that they are inviting more trouble, and eventually, end up spending more money. Cheaper parts fascinate car owners, but they exhibit poor performance and never last long.
Make it a point to buy good quality parts for your most prized possession. If you can’t afford to buy from the local store, check out Partsgeek online store that sells quality auto parts at a very competitive rate with home delivery.
Common Mistake #6: Not changing filters
Fuel filters and air filters don’t last forever. They tend to deteriorate with time.
Make sure you change the filters every 10,000 to 40,000 miles or as recommended by your car manufacturer.
Common Mistake #7: Not checking the engine light
The check engine light on the dashboard comes on when there is an issue with the oxygen sensor, airflow sensor, catalytic converter, missing gas cap, etc. Engine lights are the diagnostic communication system that talks to you about your car’s health, so it’s unwise to ignore it.
More often than not, drivers ignore the engine light and realize the problem only when it’s too late.
The bottom line
When you spend a hefty sum of money on buying a car, you expect it to last for years. And, for this, all you need to do is be hands-on with your maintenance and keep a cautionary eye out to make sure you don’t commit these aforementioned mistakes.
