KEEPING YOUR CAR IN TIP TOP SHAPE FOR LONGER
Here’s a few tips that will help keep your car healthy and in tip top shape for longer: Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your car running at its best. A well-maintained car is safer, more fuel efficient and holds its re-sale value better. Here are a couple of things to look out for to make sure your car is always in the best possible condition.
1.WARMING UP
Try not to over-rev your car on start-up. It’s a quick way to add unnecessary wear and tear to your engine, especially if it is cold outside
2.EASY DOES IT
In addition, most of the wear and tear on an engine happens in the first ten to twenty minutes of driving. Therefore, try not to accelerate hard during this time as your engine and related parts will still be ‘warming up’ and getting to its optimum operating temperature.
3.STAY NEUTRAL
If you drive an automatic, then make sure you shift into neutral when stopped at traffic lights. If you don’t, your car will continue to work to push the car forward even though you have your foot on the brake.
4.STEERING POWER
If you have to turn your steering wheel to an extreme left or right position (full lock) then try not to hold it that way for more than a few seconds. Doing so will minimise and manage the pressure you put on your power-steering pump.
5.MERGE SMALL TRIPS
As we mentioned before, most of the wear and tear on your car and engine (and the pollution it generates) comes in the first few minutes of driving. Therefore, if you find yourself using your car for a large number of smaller trips, try and combine these trips as much as possible. This will help keep your engine happier and healthier for longer.
6.BRRR…
This might sound odd. But, make sure that you run your AC a couple of times over the winter months. Why? Well, it’ll keep your AC unit in better working order, keep everything in good working order and help you make sure the rubber seals in your AC unit remain soft and pliant.
7.OIL CHECKS
Finally, whilst many manuals these days recommend long intervals between oil changes, a more frequent change is recommended, particularly if most of your driving is done in an urban area or if you regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic.
