Owning a car during economic downturn

In an economic slide, consumers are tight on budgets; the tendency for people at this point to buy a new is slim because incomes are hit by a plethora of fiscal tightness, prices of some essential commodities are rising, family budgets are overwhelming. It is the time where priorities are set, whether or not it is convenient for taste or lifestyle. Something just has to be given up, between buying a new car and maintaining an old one, which saves you more money?

Maintenance wins it as far as harsh economic conditions goes, according to some experts.

Thus, buying a second vehicle at the moment may not be in your wallet’s best interest. You may save money if you prioritize maintenance. While some may go for modifying, the challenge is you may be overlooking an important default in the process of beautification.

To keep your car running at its best and for as long as possible, you have to be diligent with routine maintenance and inspections. Frequent oil changes can prevent the build-up of harmful deposits that rob fuel economy and power, at the same time make internal components function better.

Stick to the manufacturer’s manual. You can save so much on frequent visit to the mechanic’s workshop if you will just follow the instructions on the manual. Do not forget, the manufacturer knows the vehicle inside out – he produced it. So he definitely knows better than your mechanic. It may seem expensive replacing your air filter, changing your oil, rotating your tires every few thousand miles, the preventative care saves you money in the long run.

Besides the fluids, other things to check in your car on a semi-regular basis, bushings, shocks, alignments, spark plugs and spark plug wires. Part of your maintenance includes keeping the battery clean and secured so it does not vibrate, keeping connections clean and tight at the terminals. Check the water levels every morning before you leave home.

As much as possible try not rev the engine to redline and maintain the original speed level from the manual. Do not overburden the car with loads and carrying more people than is recommended in the manual. Car idling according to our experts is the reason for oil pressure dropping and when that happens circulation to all parts of the engine is affected.

While driving always pay attention to changes in the vehicle’s tone. For instance, when brakes need attention they give certain warning signals. A low or spongy pedal can mean that there’s air in the hydraulic system. When the brake-warning light turns red and stays on, it may be that the hydraulic system is not balanced. Noises like chirps or continuous squeals and grinding sounds could be your sign for new brake pads or shoes. Always take preventive measures. Attend to the problem immediately because ignoring them may cause them to go out of hand and you will spend more repairing.

Do not clutter the interior. No one wants to buy a dumpy looking car. Take a few hours to clean the inside, vacuum the floors regularly, use a sponge to gently wipe down the gauges, instrument panel and dashboard.

Take a second to track the mileage of your vehicle to help you ascertain how it is running. If it is clean and in good condition, it will return good mileage. It is also important to note your area’s terrain and weather conditions.

One of the biggest advantages of a well maintained car is at the time of reselling. It becomes an asset rather than a liability for the owner.

Frank Eleanya