Making your car go the extra mile

As the pandemic threatens to bring down the economy to a depression, it continues to drag down the sales of automobiles. Though vaccination is ongoing, the automotive market has not yet fully recovered. The pandemic has forever changed the way buyers think about buying a new car.

Buying a new car is on top of the list of the most expensive expenditures one can do. With the pandemic, and the added taxes that the Government placed on new cars, prices have also risen dramatically. This increases the amount of time people keep their cars, extending their ownership way beyond the life of an auto loan. So the big question is how long do cars last?

There are certain differences in car makes. Some automakers in the Philippines like Toyota and Honda have gained a well-deserved reputation for manufacturing reliable and long-lasting vehicles. Similarly, Ford and Nissan are well-known for producing dependable pick-up trucks. Reputation is key in selling cars and durability and dependability is the name of the game. However, even the most reputable and durable vehicle won’t last very long without the timely maintenance routines. I’ve seen cars still running perfectly at 25 years of service and these things aren’t just random luck that that these are still running, but rather the science that they were well-maintained consistently.

As mentioned previously, people are keeping their vehicles for much less time than they used to. The average time people keep their cars is just right about the time things start to go wrong, like 8 years. But it’s important to remember that many car can go beyond this time frame by following service intervals religiously.

But what if the car is used heavily? Surely, the “wear and tear” factors are harder on your car. Adjusting to a more stringent and closer interval maintenance schedule will do the trick.

Another way to help your car last longer is to use quality lubricants. The same goes for generic and cheap parts. These parts will likely wear out a lot faster and let you spend more on labor. Look to replace any worn parts with either OEM parts or parts by a well-known and reliable brand. Research well on this area as sometimes, 3rd Party parts are better than the OEM parts and are cheaper too!

Another factor that is easily dismissed by a lot of owners is the use of cheap fuel as compared to the ones sold by the reputable companies. Some manufacturers explicitly state gas specifications for their products. I’ve witnessed a lot of modern diesel vehicles get sidelined after just a few years of service due to bad fuel.

Lastly, get into the habit of checking under the hood every so often to make sure everything is in order. A checklist will come in handy before you do your inspections. Look for leaks, anything that looks worn or broken. Anything that looks worn out is a point of concern.

When you’re driving, pay attention to unusual movements, noises, sounds and even smell. If your car starts behaving differently, don’t ignore it. Either take it to a repair shop or check it out yourself. Catching a problem in the early stages could save you money on a significant repair later.

No amount of care will make your car last forever though as parts are bound to wear out and through time, parts will be harder to source out. When that happens, it’s a signal to let go of your car. But at least you’ve made the most out of your investment. Just remember that investing in quality repairs for a car that is still road worthy is almost always going to be less expensive than buying a new car.