Going the distance: How to make your car last longer

KUALA LUMPUR — Many of us spend money on our cars to make them look nicer and sportier, but how many of us really spend the time and the cash to make them last longer?

Hang on — we hear you say it does not matter, since the validity of Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) is set at 10 years anyway.

However, with some cars on the road today costing about as much as a small flat, motorists who love their current ride might want to consider the cheaper option of renewing their COE instead of buying a new car when the time comes.

But, like so many things we own, it is only worthwhile if we ensure that our cars remain in good condition. It does not make much sense if your ride is in constant need of repair.

Keeping your car in tip-top shape will make your vehicle more enjoyable to drive over a longer period of time, and it can also retain its resale value for longer too.

Who wants to buy a pre-loved car if it looks like a hunk of junk, right? A vehicle that can perform as well as it did when you first drove it out of the showroom, on the other hand, is more attractive.

So what can you do? Here are some pointers.

CHECK FILTERS AND OIL REGULARLY 

These are the most basic items on the list. Regular maintenance using good quality oil, air and oil filters will always help the engine last longer and run better. A dirty air and oil filter will damage the engine in the long run. It also helps you to save money by making the car more fuel efficient.

KEEP IT COOL

Monitor your vehicle’s coolant and make it a point to refill it regularly as this will prevent the engine from overheating, as well as help the coolant system last longer. It will also keep the radiator, engine block and hoses clean and free of rust.

Car owners can also avoid costly repairs by regularly replacing the hoses in the system. Use proper coolant and not tap water as the latter contains contaminants.

CHECK TYRE PRESSURE

Under-inflated and over-inflated tyres are safety issues that can cause tyre failure. Funnily enough, this aspect of car maintenance is the most neglected of all. Have a regular tyre inflation check schedule.

DASHBOARD HELP

Your dashboard will flash indicators to inform you of the condition of various systems in your car. Keep an eye on them as they tend go out in sequence. Sometimes, a particular light may take longer to go out. This may indicate a potential problem.

You should note that just because an indicator suddenly stops flashing does not mean that all is well. Have any recalcitrant systems checked out as soon as possible.

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

It is imperative that you stick to your maintenance schedule. Your regular mechanic will be able to advise you of any impending maintenance tasks, such as belt replacements or tyre changes. As with a doctor, it also helps to stick to a trustworthy mechanic who knows the maintenance history of your car, if only because it will save you the hassle of having to go through it again with a new one.

CLEAN YOUR CAR

The exterior of your car needs regular washing and waxing, and not only because you want it to look good. Bird droppings, for example, could eat into the paintwork of your car and develop into rust spots — apart from spreading bacteria. Refrain from eating, drinking and smoking inside the car as this will keep the interior fresh and pests out. The last thing you want is bugs popping out on your dashboard in the middle of your drive.

PARK UNDER COVER WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Harmful UV rays can damage your vehicle’s paintwork and even its interior. Try to park in a multi-storey car park where possible, or use a car cover to protect your vehicle’s paintwork from things such as bird droppings or tree sap, which can damage the vehicle’s exterior. Not only is it cheaper to replace a cover than to repaint your car, the resale value of your vehicle will remain higher if its original paintwork is intact and in good condition.

DO A PRE-DRIVE CHECK

We do not do this as often as we ought to — but we should. Just as pilots take a pre-flight walk around a plane before they take off, spend a bit of time looking over your car before you drive off. Keep an eye out for blown bulbs, worn tyres, or dents and scratches on the vehicle’s body. Scratches can develop into rust spots, for example; while a blown bulb could be the result of an impact that you did not know about.

DRIVE SMART

Being a smart driver is actually a critical part of extending your vehicle’s life. Burnouts from the traffic lights and emergency braking will only wear parts out faster and use more fuel.

Try to use the pedals with the precision of a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer. By doing so, you can reduce wear and tear, which means that your car will likely require less non-scheduled maintenance. NEW STRAITS TIMES