Even if your car is messy, you probably aren’t purposely trying to ruin your vehicle. But cars require a lot of maintenance. Unless someone taught you the ins and outs of vehicle care, there’s likely a lot you don’t know. These are common ways people unknowingly harm their cars and lower the resale value.
In this article, we share the top mistakes you might be making with your car that will lead to huge repair expenses.
- Avoiding Car Brakes
Using your parking brake (or emergency brake) is not just for very, very steep hills. If you don’t use your parking brake, you risk straining your transmission, a costly repair. It’s a small thing to do to keep your car in good shape for as long as possible.
- Avoiding Car Repairs
No one likes getting their car repaired. However, staying on top of minor repairs can prevent the need for more extensive fixes later. For example, if you don’t replace a dirty air filter, it could stress your heater fan until it fails. Plus, repairs keep you safe. If your car fails, your risk of a wreck goes higher.
- Avoiding Regular Car Wash
Everyone loves a clean car. Dirt and bird droppings can scratch your vehicle’s paint. Chemicals used on pavement can cause damage and rust, too. So consider this your reason to always wash your car regularly.
- Avoiding Car Leakages
If your vehicle is leaking fluid, don’t ignore it. You can quickly determine the source by the colour. A brown or black leak is usually oil; red liquid comes from the power steering fluid or transmission; coolant leaks are typically slimy and bright. Leaking fluid often indicates a larger issue, so it’s essential to get your car inspected so you don’t end up with a more expensive problem later.
- Avoiding Warning Signs/Lights
Okay, we’re all guilty of this. But those lights exist for a reason. Regularly following through with car inspections whenever you see the car warning light on will help save you the stress of spending a huge amount to repair your vehicle in the future.
- Always Hitting Potholes
In Nigeria, driving over a pothole is inevitable. But if you can, it’s best to avoid them or at least take them at a slower speed. Potholes can bend your wheels, throw your car out of alignment, and even break suspension components.
- Avoiding Checking Tire Pressure
Keeping your wheels at the right pressure is essential. If your tire pressure is too low or high, you’re at a much bigger risk of a severe accident. The good news is when you complete routine maintenance, they check tire pressure. And if you suspect something is off, you can always add air to your tires yourself.
- Always Parking Under a Tree
Parking under trees is a good way to protect your vehicle and keep your car cool in the hot sun, right? But you’re also potentially harming your car’s resale value because leaves can scratch the paint. Try to avoid parking under trees and opt for a sunshade or parking garage is better.
- Tinting Car Windows
If you want to make the most money when you sell your car, it’s best to keep it as close to new as possible. While you may love the privacy of tinted windows, not all buyers like it. So, it’s best to keep those windows transparent.
- Too Much or Too Little Mileage
If you’re looking to get the most money out of a car when you sell it, it’s essential to know selling milestones. Vehicles typically decrease in value at 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, and then 100,000 miles. Selling your car before you hit one of these milestones will get you more money than after you pass them.
However, when buyers consider a 10-year-old car with only 30,000 miles on it, they should know that rubber parts and other components weren’t used enough and may need to be replaced. So, consider selling it while the getting is good.
Conclusion
Avoiding doing a majority of these things will save not only your pocket but will also improve the value of your car during resale. They might be simple things you can forget, but remembering them is important.
