5 ways to make your car last longer

The average age of a car at scrappage is around 14 years, while the average age of vehicles on the road is closer to eight years. But don’t worry, there are some simple steps you can take to give your motor the best chance of reaching its golden years. With the help of RAC patrol ambassador, Chris Burgess, we’ve

1. Maintain your car’s battery

 

If you don’t use your car for long periods of time, the battery will degrade and go flat.

 

Consider using a trickle charger to keep the battery topped-up if your car is left in a garage for an extended period of time or a battery conditioner if it appears to hold less charge than usual.

 

If your battery does go flat, having to jump start a car puts additional strain on the battery and may damage the engine management system and other delicate electronics: a double-whammy of increased wear.

 

To look after your battery without a trickle charger, you should try to drive your car at least once a week if possible – particularly in winter.

 

2. Change filters regularly

 

Your car’s oil filter and air filter become clogged over time, so it’s important to renew them regularly.

 

They should be replaced as part of scheduled car servicing, but both are relatively simple jobs – particularly an air filter swap – so you might want to give it a try yourself and save money in the process. You can even get a mobile mechanic to do a service from the convenience of your driveway.

 

You can often prolong the life of the air filter by washing it, too. Consult your handbook for advice on filter cleaning and changes, and be sure to use genuine parts. Cheap, poor quality filters could damage your engine in the longer term.

 

3. Drive smoothly… most of the time

 

Driving with ‘mechanical sympathy’ is something you should practise at all times. That means using the controls of your car while understanding how it works.

 

Doing so will reduce component wear and you’ll make your fuel go further. Simple things like using the steering wheel, gearbox and pedals smoothly are key, along with looking well ahead to reduce the need for sudden braking.

 

The more aggressive you are on the pedals the higher your fuel and repair bills are likely to be. Driving smoothly is kinder to your car and the environment, plus accelerating and decelerating in a controlled manner and anticipating the road ahead will save you pounds on your fuel bill.

 

-RAC patrol Chris Burgess

 

That said, if you never rev your engine fully, carbon deposits can build up and foul the valves, intake manifold and other parts, reducing efficiency and potentially causing a misfire.

 

You should therefore allow your engine to rev to the redline at least once every few hundred miles – but only when the oil is warm and you’re on a quiet road.

 

Diesel cars may also have problems with clogged diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which are designed to trap harmful exhaust emissions.

 

A longer motorway run once a month will help clear them.

 

 4. Use your air conditioning

 

‘Use it or lose it’ is a phrase that could be applied to air conditioning.

 

Air-con systems inevitably leak refrigerant gas over time, particularly if they aren’t used regularly.

 

Leaving your air-con off may save fuel, but you could end up with a bill for air conditioning re-gassing instead (often around £50, available at most garages and fast-fit centres).

 

And yes, that means occasionally letting your vents blow cold in winter, too.

 

 5. Replace spark plugs and leads

 

As cars become ever more complicated, drivers are understandably less inclined to do their own servicing.

 

However, replacing spark plugs and high-tension leads is another straightforward job you can do yourself to optimise your engine's performance.

 

Bear in mind that you should always consult your vehicle handbook beforehand and stick to the service schedule though.

 

When inspecting a spark plug, check that it has:

 

·         A light brown electrode and insulator.

·         No signs of melting.

·         No signs of wear or deposits.

 

 

A spark plug in a poor condition either indicates wear over time and needs replacing, or can hint at the condition of your engine.

 

If the plug is relatively new and has developed a significant gap between the electrode and the insulator, then it could be an indication that the engine is under-performing. If that's the case, you should consult your local garage.

 

If the leads have cracks or show signs of heavy wear, they should be replaced. We recommend using a reputable garage to carry this out, however, if you have the experience and feel confident, you could do it yourself as long as you follow your vehicle handbook's guidelines.

 

This point doesn’t apply to diesel cars as they don’t use spark plugs.