{"id":63454,"date":"2023-08-29T19:01:44","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T18:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carmart.africa\/blog\/?p=63454"},"modified":"2023-08-29T19:01:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T18:01:44","slug":"if-you-do-these-10-things-with-your-vehicle-get-ready-for-expensive-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carlots.ng\/motoring\/if-you-do-these-10-things-with-your-vehicle-get-ready-for-expensive-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"If You Do These 10 Things With Your Vehicle, Get Ready for Expensive Repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Even if your car<\/a> is messy, you probably aren\u2019t 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\u2019s likely a lot you don\u2019t know. These are common ways people unknowingly harm their cars and lower the resale value<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we share the top mistakes you might be making with your car that will lead to huge repair expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Avoiding Car Brakes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Using your parking brake (or emergency brake) is not just for very, very steep hills. If you don\u2019t use your parking brake, you risk straining your transmission, a costly repair. It\u2019s a small thing to do to keep your car in good shape for as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Avoiding Car Repairs<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Avoiding Regular Car Wash<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Everyone loves a clean car. Dirt and bird droppings can scratch your vehicle\u2019s paint<\/a>. Chemicals used on pavement can cause damage and rust, too. So consider this your reason to always wash your car regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Avoiding Car Leakages<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          If your vehicle is leaking fluid, don\u2019t 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\u2019s essential to get your car inspected so you don\u2019t end up with a more expensive problem later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          1. Avoiding Warning Signs\/Lights<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Okay, we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            1. Always Hitting Potholes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              In Nigeria, driving over a pothole is inevitable. But if you can, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              1. Avoiding Checking Tire Pressure<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Keeping your wheels at the right pressure is essential. If your tire pressure is too low or high, you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                1. Always Parking Under a Tree <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Parking under trees is a good way to protect your vehicle and keep your car cool in the hot sun, right? But you\u2019re also potentially harming your car\u2019s resale value because leaves can scratch the paint. Try to avoid parking under trees and opt for a sunshade or parking garage is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                  1. Tinting Car Windows<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    If you want to make the most money when you sell your car<\/a>, it\u2019s 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\u2019s best to keep those windows transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                    1. Too Much or Too Little Mileage<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                      If you\u2019re looking to get the most money out of a car when you sell it, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n