27 October 2021
10 ways to make your car last longer!
Here are the 10 things you can do for your car, that will keep it healthier, for longer!
#1: Maintain your battery health
If your car is left unused for long periods of time, you may find that the battery will go flat, and having to jump start your car can cause even more strain on the battery and the electrics of your car.
We advise using a trickle charge, which will keep your battery charged if your car is left unused to longer periods of time. If you don't want to use a trickle charge, we would advise using your car atleast once a week, especially in the winter.
#2: Check your fluids
Failing to check on your cars fluid levels, and replenishing them could have dire consequences on your car. You should be checking your engine oil and the coolant at least fortnightly to ensure you have an appropriate level of both.
#3: Regular servicing
This is one of the best things you can do to ensure that your car lasts the long run! Servicing intervals are typically based on either time or mileage, for example, you could have your car serviced once a year, or after every 10,000 miles driven, which ever comes first.
Your car will have warning lights also, which should be indicative of when your car needs some maintenance.
#4: Keep it covered
Many people have garages, but not many people use them for what they're made for; storing cars away.
Many people often leave their cars of the drive way, as they are not built to be more corrosion-resistant. However, considering making room in your garage for you car, as it keeps it dry, clean and safe, and highly reduces the risk of accidental damage and even vandalism, and in turn, reduces the premium of your insurance!
#5: rustproof your car
Although, as previously stated, more modern cars are built to be more corrosion-resistant, cars built during, and before the 90's, are often killed by corrosion.
Once you begin to see rust, don't wait for it to develop, get it treated as soon as possible! Once rust has set into your vehicle, it will be beyond economical repair!
One solution to this includes getting the chassis properly rust-proofed, which includes filling the cavities with a waxy substance designed to prevent water ingress.
#6: Avoiding Potholes
Poorly maintained roads can be a reason for your car not lasting the test of time. Rough roads and potholes can cause major issues for your suspension, tryes and exhaust!
Bigger pot holes can cause your suspension to become misalligned, and your shock absorbers damaged.
It's always past to plan to take smoother routes, as in the end, your car will be paying the price for rougher roads!
#7: Clean your car!
Not only does cleaning your car make it look beautiful, but it helps to extend it's life too!
Bird droppings can cause damage to paint work, and grit that's spread in the winter can also be very corrosive, so a yearly polish of your car can leave a protective layer and prevent rust!
Automated car washes can have stiff and hard bristled brushes, which can lead to small scratches, so we would advise hand car washes, or even do it yourself!
#8: Keep fuel topped up!
If you allow your tank to run low, then your fuel pump will draw up air, debris and sediment that can be found at the bottom, leaving your system clogged up, and eventually causing corrosion.
By keeping your fuel topped up, you will avoid having to pay expensive repairs on a corroded system!
#9: Check warning lights!
As soon as you see a warning light come on, you need to get it checked out immediately, no matter how small the issue is! Leaving problems unchecked can lead them to become bigger and more expensive to fix.
Booked into one Nissan approved garages ASAP, if you ever see a warning light come on!
#10: Regular car checks
Our last piece of advise is to regularly do a check over of your car!
By doing routine checks you can catch small issues very early, and they can be easily, and potentially cheaply, repaired.
Here are some things you should be checking regularly:
If your car is left unused for long periods of time, you may find that the battery will go flat, and having to jump start your car can cause even more strain on the battery and the electrics of your car.
We advise using a trickle charge, which will keep your battery charged if your car is left unused to longer periods of time. If you don't want to use a trickle charge, we would advise using your car atleast once a week, especially in the winter.
#2: Check your fluids
Failing to check on your cars fluid levels, and replenishing them could have dire consequences on your car. You should be checking your engine oil and the coolant at least fortnightly to ensure you have an appropriate level of both.
#3: Regular servicing
This is one of the best things you can do to ensure that your car lasts the long run! Servicing intervals are typically based on either time or mileage, for example, you could have your car serviced once a year, or after every 10,000 miles driven, which ever comes first.
Your car will have warning lights also, which should be indicative of when your car needs some maintenance.
#4: Keep it covered
Many people have garages, but not many people use them for what they're made for; storing cars away.
Many people often leave their cars of the drive way, as they are not built to be more corrosion-resistant. However, considering making room in your garage for you car, as it keeps it dry, clean and safe, and highly reduces the risk of accidental damage and even vandalism, and in turn, reduces the premium of your insurance!
#5: rustproof your car
Although, as previously stated, more modern cars are built to be more corrosion-resistant, cars built during, and before the 90's, are often killed by corrosion.
Once you begin to see rust, don't wait for it to develop, get it treated as soon as possible! Once rust has set into your vehicle, it will be beyond economical repair!
One solution to this includes getting the chassis properly rust-proofed, which includes filling the cavities with a waxy substance designed to prevent water ingress.
#6: Avoiding Potholes
Poorly maintained roads can be a reason for your car not lasting the test of time. Rough roads and potholes can cause major issues for your suspension, tryes and exhaust!
Bigger pot holes can cause your suspension to become misalligned, and your shock absorbers damaged.
It's always past to plan to take smoother routes, as in the end, your car will be paying the price for rougher roads!
#7: Clean your car!
Not only does cleaning your car make it look beautiful, but it helps to extend it's life too!
Bird droppings can cause damage to paint work, and grit that's spread in the winter can also be very corrosive, so a yearly polish of your car can leave a protective layer and prevent rust!
Automated car washes can have stiff and hard bristled brushes, which can lead to small scratches, so we would advise hand car washes, or even do it yourself!
#8: Keep fuel topped up!
If you allow your tank to run low, then your fuel pump will draw up air, debris and sediment that can be found at the bottom, leaving your system clogged up, and eventually causing corrosion.
By keeping your fuel topped up, you will avoid having to pay expensive repairs on a corroded system!
#9: Check warning lights!
As soon as you see a warning light come on, you need to get it checked out immediately, no matter how small the issue is! Leaving problems unchecked can lead them to become bigger and more expensive to fix.
Booked into one Nissan approved garages ASAP, if you ever see a warning light come on!
#10: Regular car checks
Our last piece of advise is to regularly do a check over of your car!
By doing routine checks you can catch small issues very early, and they can be easily, and potentially cheaply, repaired.
Here are some things you should be checking regularly:
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Screenwash
- Fuel
- Tyres
- Brakes
- Air conditioning
Worried about how your car will hold up this winter? We have the solution!
Book in your Nissan today to ensure that it's winterproofed!
We are offering a 20-point inspection, completed by our Nissan approved technicians, as well as a follow up video, and a FREE winter sanitiser kit, all for just £39.99!
Book in your Nissan today to ensure that it's winterproofed!
We are offering a 20-point inspection, completed by our Nissan approved technicians, as well as a follow up video, and a FREE winter sanitiser kit, all for just £39.99!
