The biggest reason most cars depreciate is that they are not appropriately maintained.
According to thebalance.com, car owners can save almost $1,000 to $3,000 if they maintain their car and keep it as they own them. But that is not always the case.
Most car drivers are careless or merely unsympathetic towards their cars. They prefer to keep it until the wear and tear becomes prominent on the outside. This leads to a decrease in the car’s cost and life span.
Tips to increase your car resale value
If you want to be one of those car owners that want to make their car last longer, then you should follow these tips.
- Keep tire pressure in check
Even a 1PSI difference in car pressure can have an impact on fuel economy. According to the US department of energy, a decrease in car pressure by 1PSI can decrease the fuel efficiency of the car by almost 6%.
Similarly, low tire pressure also makes the car heat up faster. This indirectly burns oil, and the life of various engine components declines. However, keeping car tire pressure maintained can increase the car tire life by almost 4,000 miles.
It has also been noted that higher car pressure leads to a lack of control. Cars are more likely to skid off slippery highways and can lead to higher casualty count if the tire pressure is high.
Moreover, higher PSI in car tires decreases grip on the road, making the car slow and wobble during the journey.
Tip:
- Get car tire pressure checked every week or at least twice a week.
- Change tires every after every 50,000 miles or when the cracks on car tires become evident. Don’t wait for them to burst.
- Sharp acceleration and abrupt braking
Another primary reason, why car life decreases is because of sharp acceleration and abrupt braking.
Most car drivers are heavy footers. They accelerate sharply; this burns excess fuel and reduces the life of the engine.
Similarly, the same car owners apply brakes abruptly. This is mostly because they are accustomed to driving in this fashion. The car brakes burn brake oil and make the brake pads wear out faster.
Sharp acceleration and abrupt braking can also cause major accidents on the roads. Since the drivers behind your car will not be accustomed to braking in the same way and there are chances that they will ram the car in your car, leading to loss of both of you. In most states, abrupt braking is illegal.
- Use gear & transmission fluid
The most vulnerable part of a car is its gearbox. Gears consist of multiple rotational sprockets, and if you act like a race car driver, they are likely to run out pretty soon. So, make sure to keep a check of your gear oil.
The faster you drive and the more you drag your car, the more wear and tear it will get.
Another tip for maintaining gears of your cars is to check the transmission fluid.
On many SUVs and trucks, checking the car fluid is easy because the engine is at the front of the car.
You will only need to use the dipstick to check the oil. It is also essential that you use the right type of oil for your car. Poor quality oil can also decrease its efficiency.
- Keep the car tuned
Here are a few things that every car owner should know.
- Keep car tuned after evert 5,000km or more. Your car tuning will include the oil change, cleaning of radiator, plugs, filters, and a checkup of all wires and nuts and bolts of the car. Make sure that you also get the engine tuned after every 10,000km.
- Depending on the type of car you have, your mechanic will also check the timing and V-belt to make sure it is not ruined due to off-road or dusty road driving.
- Regular checkups not only ensure your safety, but they also increase the car resale value by 50%. This is especially beneficial when you try to sell a car online or through an auction site.
- Avoid overloading car
A factor that often goes unnoticed is the overloading of the car.
Most 660cc cars are not made to transport load above 500kgs. When you use your car for excessive load transport, its engine is bound to get damaged. However, if you have a truck that can carry the excess load, let’s say 2ton or more, then you are more than welcome to disregard this tip.
One more thing to note here is that overloading the car not only affects its performance; it also leaves the car disoriented and unbalanced because of how the weight was placed in the car.
So, treat your car just like you treat yourself.
- Keep car clean
While maintenance and checkup of the car are essential and should be done regularly, more important is to keep it clean.
Dust and rust can eat car parts. They corrode within the components and lead to wear and tear. It is better to keep the car cleaned at all times so that you can minimize corrosion due to excessive dust.
It is even better to get the car waxed after a wash. Wax keeps dust particles at bay, and you can clean them with just a single wipe after a long ride back home.
Tip:
- Rust decreases car value. So, make sure the car is adequately waxed each month
- Keep car covered
Finally, make sure your car is covered with a rain-proof car cover, especially if you park outside on the road and not in your garage.
Although car paint is resilient to dust particles, letting a car parked uncovered can lead to multiple paint job issues. Moreover, it also reduces the risk of theft and vandalism.
Tip:
- Car covers usually cost around $20 at max, and you can buy them from Amazon.
Conclusion
Performing maintenance tasks regularly reduces the chance of any serious problems occurring in your car. Not doing so puts you at a safety risk. Although it is a hassle to get your car checked regularly, but remember… safety always comes first.
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