For most people, buying a car is the second biggest purchase they may make in life, but once you have your dream ride, what should you do to make sure you keep it in the best possible condition?
Here are our top 10 things to be aware of:
- Accelerating & Braking Aggressively – although this looks glamorous in movies or on TV, this type of aggressive driving is not good for your car. Driving more efficiently and gently will help prolong the car’s life and save you £££s on fuel.
- Using the Incorrect Grade of Fuel – you probably already know that putting diesel in a petrol car and vice versa is not a good idea, well the same can be said of using the wrong fuel grade. If you own a high-performance car, make sure you take notice of the recommended fuel grade and spend a few more £££s on Super Unleaded. Likewise, there’s no point in using Super Unleaded in a standard family car – stick with the Premium fuel.
- Neglecting to Clean Your Car – how often do you clean your car? If the answer is ‘not very often’ then you may be causing more damage than you realise, particularly the exterior. Paint and metal surfaces will deteriorate if you let dirt and chemicals build up, so make sure you do a regular wash, particularly under the car and wheel arches, which are often neglected.
- Driving Until You Almost Run Out of Fuel – allowing your red needle to hit the empty marker is not a good idea. The detritus and debris that builds up in your fuel tank usually settles at the bottom, so running on empty usually means that gunk is pumped through your engine.
- Low Tire Pressures – you should regularly check your tyre pressures when cold. If you don’t, this may lead not only to unnecessary wear and tear on your tires, but can also affect lots of other mechanical parts on your car. Running on low pressures may mean more rolling road resistance and therefore more fuel use too!
- Checking & Replacing Your Engine Oil – engine oil is essential for lubricating the engine parts and keeping it running smoothly. Remember to check the oil levels regularly using your engine oil dipstick, and top up with the correct grade of oil if necessary. Always check that engine oil is being replaced when getting your car serviced.
- Using a Drive Through Car Wash – although a controversial topic of discussion, most mechanics would agree that using an automated drive through car wash does more harm than good. For example, you may end up with paint ‘swirls’ degrading the protective paint coating or worse still, parts of your car falling off or getting damaged such as wing mirrors and windscreen wipers. A hand wash is always the recommended way to wash your car.
- Infrequent Use of Your Car – sometimes unavoidable, but as a general rule you should run your car at least once per week. Rarely driving your car will result in your vehicle entering a “dormant status” where parts start to degrade and fluids dry up. A 15-30 minute drive each week as a minimum will help prevent this from happening.
- Not Reading Your Car Manual – another piece of advice that most people generally overlook, but your manual will explain how to use your car properly, including what to change or check regularly. Remember, every car model is different so it pays to know your vehicle inside and out.
- Modifying or Altering Your Car – although a popular trend these days, particularly with younger drivers, making modifications to your car can cause more harm rather than improving it. Adding after-market parts and components supposedly offering ‘better fuel economy’ will mess up your car’s factory settings, particularly when adding these as a DIY project. Remember, it didn’t end well for Frankenstein’s Monster!
Although we appreciate the work we get from our many loyal customers, we would prefer to keep your repair costs to a minimum and your vehicle in tip-top condition. However, if you experience any issues with your car and need a reliable local garage service in Neath Port Talbot, give us a call on 01639 886352.
