Have you ever wondered about just how long vehicles last in the hands of their owners before being sold off or finally being sent to the scrapyard? Well, the answer to this question is that it varies from one owner to another. Some people like moving on to something new every couple of years, while others may find it better to use their vehicles for five, ten or twenty years down the road. If you fit into this latter group of people, it might be a good idea to get informed about how to use your vehicle in a way that it lasts a long time without it giving serious issues. This can often save you a lot of money on repairs, not to mention avoiding the downtime associated with them.

Here are some great pieces of advice that will greatly prolong your vehicle’s lifespan:

Perform Routine Maintenance – As you should already know, regular servicing and maintenance is vital to keep your vehicle in running conditions. It is also important to know that servicing at just the right time can greatly improve a vehicle’s lifespan, thus giving you a reason to do those regular oil changes as soon as you possibly can.

• Warm Up Your Engine – A vehicle’s engine will have an optimum operating range where it is expected to perform at peak performance. You will want to warm your vehicle a little before driving off, especially on very cold days. It might be a good idea to avoid making many short trips as well, mostly because your engine won’t have enough time to properly warm up.
• Use Quality Fuel – Premium fuel is a little on the expensive side, but it is actually worth paying for it, as it can improve engine performance and decrease fuel consumption. If paying for premium-grade fuel is not possible, try to at least pump fuel that matches the recommendations of your vehicle manufacturer. This factor is more important in high-performance engines, such as those found in sports cars or high-end sedans.
• Don’t Cheapen Out On Spares – Whenever you seek for replacement parts for your vehicle, try to always go for the products with the best quality? You may be tempted to purchase cheap car batteries or car tyres that go for a lot less than the standard market price, but remember that they just won’t perform as good as genuine or original parts. In the worst case, they can severely hamper your vehicle’s performance, or wear out too quickly, requiring you to replace them more often.
• Check Your Vehicle’s Battery – Both car and truck batteries have a limited lifespan, normally in the region of three to five years. You can definitely prolong your battery’s life by simply making sure that you do not discharge it too much. Nevertheless, you need to find a replacement after a certain amount of time passes.
• Take Care of the Bodywork – Make sure to periodically wash your car to clean off dust, debris, mud and other things such as bird droppings. Leaving them on for too long can cause excessive wear on your vehicle’s paint and bodywork, and it may even lead to rust formation if left unattended for a long period of time.