The cost-of-living crisis is officially entering its second year, with no sign of high inflation rates abating any time soon. The impacts on households across the UK have been manifold, from struggles to heat homes over winter to increasingly expensive grocery shops and beyond.
In times of economic crisis such as these, even one unexpected emergency payment can be enough to scupper best-laid plans – and your car is the likeliest source of such costs, prone as they are to sudden and unexpected issues. With the right approach to car care, though, you can keep it in good enough condition to minimise the risk of such costs. What are some simple ways to achieve this?
Replace Fluids Regularly
One of the quickest, cheapest and simplest ways to keep your car happier for longer is to regularly monitor, top up and replace the various fluids it requires. Oil is arguably the most important one of the lot to keep tabs on, as it keeps the engine running smoothly; over time, oil can thicken and coagulate through picking up dirt and debris, with the effect of “gunking up” your engine and increasing the risk of failure.
Check Your Tyres
It is your legal responsibility to ensure that your car’s tyres meet minimum criteria for safety on public roads – particularly with regard to tread depth, which indicates the level of traction your tyres provide. If your tyre treads are beneath 1.6mm in depth, they are illegal to drive on. While this should be reason enough to stock up on tyres online for regular replacements, there are also mechanical reasons you should be checking and replacing your tyres regularly.
Unevenly worn tyres can be symptomatic of a deeper issue with your car, generally relating to suspension. If you notice your tyres are wearing disproportionately to one another, this could be a sign of deformed suspension linkage or another related failure. Uneven tyres can also cause their own subset of problems, as they can induce excessive vibrations while on the road – potentially leading to the quickened failure of certain parts.
Drive Smoothly
It isn’t just through paying close attention to your car that you ensure its longevity, though. Bad driver habits can also contribute to shortening the lifespans of vehicles, by introducing unnecessary wear. One bad habit might be revving the engine or accelerating rapidly from standstill as opposed to at a gentle pace.
Smooth, safe and careful driving puts less stress on the engine and suspension, extending their lifespan and minimising the risk of roadside breakdowns. This would mean keeping your rev count low by changing gears relatively early and accelerating smoothly out of corners or traffic. Coasting to a stop, or light early braking into corners, can also lighten the load on your brake system and wheels.