Improvements in technology, build quality and metallurgy mean that cars are living longer and longer. And it's not just Japanese or the Korean cars, Domestic and Europeans are giving reliable service up to, and well past, 150,000kms.With proper care and feeding, virtually any car can be kept running as long as the owner wants to keep it. Here are few guidelines to keeping your car alive well into six-figure territory.
Buy a good car to begin with. Though Japanese cars are generally the most reliable, don't dismiss American cars their quality is improving. European cars are generally the most expensive to fix. If you're shopping, talk to owners of similar cars about their experiences.
Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. If your car has a "maintenance minder", use that as a guideline for service, but be sure to double-check your owner's manual as some items need to be replaced based on time rather than mileage.
Don't forget the timing belt! Most cars need to have the timing belt replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 kms. It's not cheap, but it’s far less expensive than the damage it causes if it breaks.
Do your homework. Many cars have known problems that tend to pop up under certain circumstances or after enough mileage/time. Most makes and models have Web sites and forums devoted to them and we have "
TEAM-BHP"
which is a goldmine of information. Knowing your car is prone to a given problem isn't necessarily cause to get rid of it; it just allows you to be prepared and it's always advisable to keep saving some money for emergency repairs, especially when the bill shoot up to 25-30k
Be aware. Be on the lookout for new noises, strange smells or anything that just doesn’t feel right. If something seems amiss, talk to your mechanic or service center. Don't let them tell you "that's normal”. If you've been driving your car long enough, you know best what normal is.
Ask a friend to drive. Every two or three months, ask a friend to take you for a drive in your own car. Some problems appear or increase so gradually that you may not even notice them, but they'll stick out like a sore thumb to someone less familiar. And by riding along in the passenger's seat, you may spot something you missed while preoccupied with driving.
Fix everything as soon as it breaks. If you're going to keep your car as long as possible, you have to want to keep it as long as possible. Don't ignore seemingly unimportant problems like broken trim bits, torn upholstery, or electrical glitches. Little annoyances tend to add up and can begin to erode your love affair with your old car.
Use quality replacement parts. Whether or not to use genuine manufacturer parts is open to debate, but don't just opt for the least expensive parts you can find. Discuss options with your mechanic. If a non-wearing part is damaged, consider buying a used replacemeny, you’ll get manufacturer quality at a more affordable price.
Keep it clean. Paint does more than make your car look good; it protects the materials underneath. Wash your car regularly. When water no longer beads on the paint, wax it, FIGHT RUST!!
Drive gently. There's no need to baby your car; in fact, a little foot-to-the-floor acceleration every once in a while is a good thing, but driving like a wannabe Michael Schumacher in his Formula 1 Ferrari isn't good for your car (or your nerves).
Gloat! If you enjoy the surprised looks people give you when you tell them your car has 150,000kms on it, wait until you see their faces at 200,000. If people chide you about your old wheels, chide them about their car payments and higher insurance rates. Keeping your car as long as possible saves you hundreds of dollars per month; keeping it in good repair minimizes the environmental impact by.