5 Tips To Make Your Used Car Last

January 13, 2012 0 Comments Bloggies by Bruce Tucker

When owning a used car it is important to take care of it properly to extend its life, and if you are planning to sell it in the future you need to preserve its resale value.

1.    Understand the features of the particular model that you own and make sure you have a basic knowledge of car maintenance for things like ensuring your oil and gas is topped up and that your tires are kept at the proper pressure.
2.    Pay attention to your car’s gauges to see any indication that there is something mechanically wrong. Lights will show on your dashboard for problems with the oil, tire pressure and cooling system.
3.    Make sure your car has a regular service. It is advisable to find a good mechanic that you trust. Your owner’s manual should have a maintenance schedule which your mechanic can stick to.
4.    Drive with more care to save wear and tear on your car and make it more fuel efficient. Taking off fast or coming to an abrupt stop can have an adverse effect on the engine and brakes.
5.    Keep your car clean, sun damage and bird droppings can cause permanent damage to your paintwork. Equally, the interior of your car should be kept clean, spillages on the carpet or seats may stain and devalue the vehicle.

It is important to look after your car, much like looking after your health, or managing your finances and credit rating are positive steps in improving your life. Market Analyst, Jack Nerad says, “In real estate they say it’s all about location, location, location, but with car values it’s all about condition, condition, condition.”