The typical age of a car at scrappage is about fourteen, although the typical age of cars on the road is more like eight. It also depends on the type of car you have. But don’t worry, there are a few easy actions you can do to increase the likelihood that your motor will live to a ripe old age, like keep your car in a garage, or if you don’t have one, Google where to ‘store vehicle near me’.
Maintain the battery in your car
The battery in your automobile will deteriorate and run out of power if it is not used for an extended length of time.
If your automobile is kept in a garage for an extended period of time, think about using a trickle charger to keep the battery charged or a battery conditioner if it seems to hold a charge less than usual.
Jump starting an automobile after your battery runs out of juice increases wear on the battery and increases the risk of damaging the engine management system and other important electronics.
Without a trickle charger, you should try to drive your car at least once a week, preferably more frequently during the winter.
Regular filter replacement
Regularly replacing your car’s oil filter and air filter is crucial since they silt up over time.
Although both should be replaced as part of routine auto maintenance, especially an air filter switch, they are both rather simple tasks, so you might want to do them yourself to save money.
By cleaning the air filter as well, you may frequently extend its lifespan. For instructions on filter cleaning and replacement, refer to your owner’s manual. Only use genuine components. Long-term engine damage could result from using cheap, subpar filters.
Drive sensibly… for the most part
You should always strive to drive with “mechanical sympathy.” That entails operating your car’s controls while being aware of how they operate.
By doing this, you’ll lessen component wear and stretch your gasoline further. To lessen the need for abrupt braking, simple techniques like gently managing the steering wheel, gearbox, and pedals are essential.
However, if you never rev your engine all the way up, carbon deposits can accumulate and clog the intake manifold, valves, and other components, limiting performance and perhaps resulting in a misfire.
Therefore, at least once every few hundred miles you should let your engine rev all the way to the redline, but only while the oil is warm and you’re on a quiet road.
Replace the leads and spark plugs
Drivers are obviously less likely to perform their own maintenance as cars become increasingly complex.
However, another simple task you can complete on your own to improve the performance of your engine is replacing the spark plugs and high-tension leads.
But keep in mind that you should always read your vehicle’s manual first and follow the maintenance plan.
When looking at a spark plug, make sure it has:
- An insulator and electrode that are a light brown colour with no evidence of wear or deposits.
- An engine’s condition can be hinted at by a spark plug that needs to be replaced because of wear over time.
Image Credits: Vlad Alexandru Popa
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