When you love your car, you tend to take care of it just like every other thing. After you buy a car and start using it, its value starts depreciating quickly. However, there are ways to extend the life of your car and preserve its value. 

One of the most effective ways we, as leading European car service Melbourne experts, recommend is to save money on car expenses by taking good care of your car so that it stays in good condition for a long time.  

Ignoring or skipping maintenance can cause you major and costly issues. And if you decide to buy a new car instead, you'll have to spend more money on things like loan fees or higher insurance payments. But there are some things you can do to make your car last longer without spending too much. 

Our car service Melbourne experts at BCS Prestige share simple yet powerful tips on how to make car last longer to help you keep your car running smoothly for a longer time.

How to increase your car’s life?

1. Change the air and oil filter 

When it comes to changing the oil in cars, there are two types of people. Some people stick to a strict schedule and get it done every 5,000 km, while others wait until something goes wrong and they realise they need an oil change. 

To figure out the ideal frequency for oil changes, it's best to consult your car's owner's manual. Most car manufacturers advise changing the oil every 8000 km. If you wait too long to change the oil, it gets dirty, and this can cause serious damage to the important parts of your car's engine.

The car's air filter is like a protective shield for your engine. It removes dirt and debris that can damage the engine and make it wear out faster. By timely changing the air filter, you can easily and affordably keep your engine running smoothly. 

You can find out the specific interval for changing the air filter in your car's manual, but generally, it's recommended to do it every 25,000 to 32,000 km. 

2. Frequently wash your car

Regularly washing your car can help it stay in better shape for a longer time. When dirt accumulates on your car's surface, it can harm the paint. If the paint deteriorates, it can cause damage to the body of the car underneath. Just like termites in a house, this damage can gradually spread to the crucial parts of the car. How frequently you should wash your car depends on different factors.

Do you park your car in the open? How's the weather in your area? If you have a long commute, you might have to deal with pollen, bugs, and other things falling on your car. 

To understand if your car is more likely to be in danger, assess its situation and then proceed accordingly. In general, it is usually sufficient to wash your car once a month.

3. Check the tyres 

Foundation of anything is the most important thing. Likewise, a car needs good tyres to stay safe and stable on the road.

The car's overall structure and safety can be affected if your tyres are not in good condition. One important thing you can do is keep your tyres properly inflated, which means having the right air inside them. This helps to prevent tyre blowouts (when the tyre suddenly bursts) and uneven wear (when parts of the tyre wear out faster than others).

Another important thing is to rotate your tyres regularly. This means changing their positions in the car. Tyres naturally wear out in different ways, and if you don't rotate them, you're shortening their overall lifespan. Not rotating your tyres could also increase the risk of damage to your wheels and other car parts every time you drive.

There are other helpful tips for taking care of your tyres, such as learning how to read the numbers on them, checking the tread (the pattern on the tyre that helps with grip) to make sure it's not too worn out, and ensuring that the alignment (the way the tyres are positioned) is correct. Taking care of your tyres is important for your car's safety, durability, and performance.

4. Make use of your parking brakes 

When you put your car in park, a part in your engine called the parking pawl locks the transmission. This is good because it stops your car from moving. However, when you park on a slope or hill, it can put a lot of strain on this part. Sometimes, although it's rare, the pawl can break or come loose.

To make sure your car is secure, it's better to use the parking brake. It will prevent your car from rolling away if the pawl fails or if someone accidentally hits your car. If you don't use the parking brake, the brake cables can become worn out over time and may break when you need them the most.

Make it a point to release the parking brake before you start driving, or you'll encounter more problems.

5. Be proactive in repairs

If you delay fixing your car, it could have big problems and cost you a lot of money to fix. So, it's important to pay attention to any signs that something is wrong with your car. By taking care of small issues early on, you can save tremendously in the long run and keep your car in really good condition.

If you have a BMW and want another way to avoid costly repairs, stick to a regular car service schedule. Discuss with a professional BMW mechanic near you and seek assistance with regular car servicing 

6. Drive smoothly

Driving recklessly and performing maneuvers like sharp turns, fast acceleration, and sudden braking can cause damage to your tyres. These actions wear down the tread on your tyres, making them less effective and requiring them to be replaced sooner. Additionally, braking hard puts strain on your brake pads, causing them to deteriorate more quickly. 

Poor driving habits can also put stress on various parts of your car, leading to a shorter lifespan for those components. While strong acceleration isn't necessarily terrible, constantly doing it and doing so when the engine is cold can cause harm to certain parts of the engine. 

Drive smoothly, stay safe! It’s simple.

The Takeaway 

These were some easy and inexpensive ways to make your car last longer. Taking care of your vehicle can keep it safe and make it last longer. Planning and setting aside money for regular maintenance can help you keep your car longer, which means you can save more money in the long run.

At BCS Prestige, we have the best and most advanced tools to diagnose problems with machines. Our technicians are very skilled and know how to fix things well. We also genuinely care about making machines work perfectly. So, for any car repair or maintenance needs in Melbourne, contact us.