In the past few years, inflation has been on the rise and the cost of living has skyrocketed. The pandemic had caused unforeseen disruptions to the supply chains but many people still expected some improvements after two years. Instead, they are faced with increasing costs and inflation that hit a 40-year high in the middle of 2022. In September 2022, used car prices were up to 42.5 percent as opposed to February 2022. Consumer goods have become very expensive and many families are finding it difficult to pay their bills.
This is the looming reality of many people and they are looking for ways to avoid ranking up debts and be stable financially. 63% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and cut back on large purchases like cars, houses, and furniture.
Many African countries are not left behind in this regard. From high clearing fees and parts to increasing exchange rates. This makes it difficult for many African countries like Nigeria and Ghana to chunk out lump sum money to purchase a car.
If this is your story and you can’t afford to buy a car right now, we’ve got some tips to increase your current car’s lifespan.
Tips to Increase Your Cars Lifespan
Never Ignore Warning Light
Just like any machine your vehicle has a warning system put in place to alert you to check out the issue. Unfortunately, some drivers don’t pay attention to the warning signs until the damage is far gone. Don’t put off what should be done today till tomorrow and that means you shouldn’t ignore the warning light. Warning lights popping up on your dashboard means something is not working well and could lead to costly repair or an accident if not checked.
Research by Jiffy Lube shows that in a month or longer before going to the mechanic, 29% of Americans don’t pay attention to their check engine light. Another survey by UTire shows that 91.8% of respondents delay their vehicle maintenance. This is common in African countries also, causing them to sacrifice an arm and leg for repair costs.
Don’t Drive on Empty
Some drivers tend to not bother themselves with the fuel warning light as long as their vehicle is still moving. This is an easy way to damage your fuel pump and engine, raking up high repair3 costs.
If you constantly drive with an empty tank, your fuel pump is exposed to higher temperatures with no fuel to cool it down. Once your fuel tank begins to blink stop at the nearest gas station and replenish lost fuel.
Check Your Tire and Suspension System Regularly
Your car’s suspension system is a vital part of your vehicle which is usually ignored until it becomes a major problem. Your suspension allows for better handling and safety when driving, and protects major components like your brakes, wheels, axles, etc.
Potholes and careless driving cause damage to your tires, suspension, and undercarriage. You need to drive carefully and stay alert while on the road. Check your tires and suspension regularly to ensure there is no damage. Check your wheel alignment and maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Your car manual has the appropriate amount of pressure needed in your tires or you can consult a professional mechanic for assistance.
Change/Replace Oil, Air Filters, And Fluids Regularly
Replace oil, fluids, and air filters regularly. The more you drive your vehicle, the more oil and fluids reduce, and the more your air filter works to trap debris. These small but very important components have to be replaced regularly to avoid damage to vital engine parts. Avoid erratic starts and stops because it uses more fuel and in the present economy, that’s more money.
In Conclusion
The health of your vehicle is your responsibility, and if you don’t want to break the bank to fix repairs in these expensive times you have to take maintenance seriously. Create a maintenance schedule with the help of your mechanic, you can find your car’s schedule in the manual. Make sure all repairs and maintenance are done by a professional mechanic. Replace your fluids regularly and make driving smoothly a priority.
If the damage is done however and you are already spending a ton on repairs and have your mechanic or auto shop’s phone number on speed dial, then it might be better and more cost-efficient to replace your vehicle.
You may also simply be tired of your current vehicle and are looking to make a change or an upgrade or simply want to buy a car. Well, that’s where Auto Auction Mall comes in!
Further Reading
- When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
- 5 Essential Tips for Maintaining Electric Vehicles
- Tire Maintenance: 4 Tips to Taking care of Your Used Car Tires
- How Does My Car Have an Undercarriage Damage? 5 Reasons Why
How Can We Help?
If you have some money stashed somewhere or have plans to buy a cheap vehicle – we’ve got you covered.
Auto Auction Mall allows you to buy from US dealers-only auctions without needing a license. We have an inventory of over 200k plus vehicles for you to choose from.
All you have to do is sign up for free to get started. We have a specialized team to assist you throughout the process so you don’t get overwhelmed. We assist with shipping and payment for buyers from outside of the United States… and clearing for Nigeria if you want.
Sign up today to begin your journey with us and click here to check through available options
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