Owning a car is a dream of almost everyone, and most of you manage to have this dream come true. Unfortunately, many people just treat it as a vehicle to commute from A to B, but it is a great investment. Although it does not appreciate in value over time, it provides you with comfort. In order to make the most of your car, you should keep on the upkeep of it.

Car maintenance is not a choice. It is a necessity. It does not cost you an arm and a leg, and yet many people avoid it because of being on a tight budget. If you are unable to maintain your car because of a tight budget, you should use the following maintenance hacks. These hacks will help increase the lifespan.

Regular maintenance is extremely vital. It will help you save a lot of money in the long run. One of the benefits of regular maintenance is that you will be able to detect flaws at early stages. This will preclude you from spending a whopping sum of money on repair work.

Maintenance hacks to increase your car’s lifespan

Here are the maintenance hacks to increase your car’s lifespan:

• Change oil

The basic maintenance cannot be ignored even if your car is not acting up. In order to improve the longevity of your car and obtain a rich driving experience, you should change the oil periodically. It is enjoined that you do it every three months. You should change the oil from time to time to maintain your car’s engine health. Over time, carbon breaks it down and makes it ineffective to lubricate your engine parts, leading to wear and tear.

It could be a bit difficult to decide how often you should change oil. You can get this information from your car’s manual, which you must have received at the time of purchasing it. Normally, it is recommended that you change the oil every 5,000 miles. The type of oil also matters. Some cars require synthetic oil. You could obtain this information from the manual, too.

Bear in mind that skipping oil changes could cost you a lot of money in the long run. It would also impair driving experience. Do not fight shy of getting oil changed. It just takes a few minutes. Neglecting it would cost you expensive engine repairs.

• Fluid checks

Another important thing to focus on is fluids. You should periodically check them. Most of the people do not understand the importance of fluid checking. Your car does not just rely on fuel. Collant, transmission fluid, brake fluid and steering fluid need regular monitoring. It is intrinsic because it helps keep the entire system working. If you want to save some money on mechanic service charges, you should employ a DIY fluid kit. It will help you monitor fluid levels.

Make sure you look for any leaks. A prolonged leaking problem could cause damage to your car, which means you will have to foot high repair bills. DIY techniques are recommended only if you are completely sure about your capability to fix it. Contact a mechanic if you cannot do it on your own. If you are worried about your budget, you can consider taking out a short term loan in Ireland. Remember that you will have to discharge the debt in fell one swoop. Make sure that you have a strong repaying capacity so you do not end up racking up your debt.

• Tyre maintenance

If the tyres’ condition is not good, you will not be able to drive your car. Over time, the normal wear and tear reduces the efficiency. Buying new tyres could break your bank, and if you have already been in a tight spot, you would be compelled to borrow money. It could be challenging to manage payments along with car loans in Ireland. Therefore, it is suggested that you should put in effort to increase their lifespan.

Rotate tyres after every 5,000 miles. You will be surprised to know that rotation could help increase their lifespan by 50%. Check air pressure regularly. Your tyres should be neither over-inflated nor underinflated. It causes unnecessary pressure on your engine. Underinflated tyres also deteriorate fuel efficiency.

• Drive carefully

Driving habits also matter. Rough driving will increase wear and tear and reduce your car’s efficiency over time. Here are some of the driving tips you should follow:

• Rapid acceleration and harsh braking are not recommended. They put pressure on your engine. Smooth driving does not take a toll on your engine, which means less repair cost.
• While driving on motorways, you should try to maintain a consistent speed to increase fuel efficiency. Steady speed does not wreak havoc on brake pads.
• Even if it is a short route to your destination, you should avoid rough terrains. Potholes and uneven surfaces not only damage your suspension, but they also misalign wheels and a structural frame. However, if you have no choice, you should drive at a slower speed to cushion the impact.

Careful driving habits will not only reduce your repair bills, but it will also improve your driving experience.

• Take off extra load

Do not load your boot with extra material. Otherwise, it will whittle down fuel efficiency and put extra pressure on the suspension. Make sure that when you are hitting the road, you do not carry luggage more than you need.

• Address issues without further ado

You should listen to your car. Do you hear some strange sounds when driving? If your car is acting up, do not ignore it. It could be a sign of imminent danger. Pay attention to warning signs and take your car to the mechanic immediately. Routine car service could detect these issues before any serious problem crops up.

The final word

You can save a lot of money on car repair bills by maintaining your car. Regular maintenance is a must to increase the lifespan of your car. It includes changing oil, checking fluids, taking off extra load, driving carefully, and addressing issues without further ado.