Many motorists seek to keep their current vehicles running smoothly for as long as possible, including sole traders, entrepreneurs and other business people that could be responsible for a large number of cars.
From a business perspective, if we can keep our vehicles on the road, it can help to maintain our profit levels.
Effective car care can result in vehicles achieving high mileages whilst remaining in good condition inside and out.
Alan Locke, from AYCEN Group advises, “One of the key steps is to ensure that the vehicle is serviced regularly, at the very least in accordance with the manufacturer’s stipulations, or more frequently if possible. Oil changes are especially important, and garages will also replace air filters, coolant, lubrication and brake fluid when necessary”.
Clever usage can also extend the life of your vehicle, with frequent short trips generally proving detrimental to their health – particularly when it comes to diesels.
Many makers claim that their automatic gearboxes are ‘sealed for life’ but this is not always true – so you should aim to replace the transmission fluid every five years or so. It may cost a few hundred pounds but you could add years to its’ life.
A cost-effective step to extend a vehicle’s lifespan is to buy and use fuel additive from time to time, simply squirting it into the fuel cap. Thereby helping the engine work optimally.
Alan continues “Tyres and brakes should be replaced when their condition becomes questionable, as unevenly worn tyres can reduce fuel efficiency, costing you more at the pump, while rusty brakes can impair your safety”.
Cosmetic care can also contribute to a vehicle’s lifespan, so regular car washes to remove salt in the winter is particularly important, reducing the risk of corrosion.
“Finding a good garage that you can trust, and not letting problems on your vehicle develop for too long can save money and distress further down the line. Prevention and early action prevent more serious damage further down the line.” concludes Alan
We thank the AYCEN Group in Manchester for their contribution to this article.
