Frequent car maintenance is exceedingly important to ensure smooth functioning of a vehicle. Proper maintenance of a vehicle not only extends its life, but it also boosts the resale value of the car. Depreciation of a car adversely affects the car’s resale value and results in a financial loss for the seller if they decide to sell their vehicle. Buyers are not interested in poorly maintained cars as it creates doubts about their reliability. Depreciation in value can be slowed if the car is kept in a good condition through regular car maintenance. Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to preserve the resale value of your car and keep vehicle depreciation to a minimum.
Given below are 5 car maintenance tips to retain and maximize your car’s resale value.
Inspecting the Car Battery
Car battery is a significant part of the car’s technical make up. It delivers power to the engine, lights, and other electric systems when the key is inserted. Therefore, taking care of the car battery is a crucial process to maintain the overall health of the vehicle. It’s generally advised to inspect and replace the car’s battery after every 2 to 3 years and there should be constant monitoring of the car battery during this time. Moreover, if the car has been inactive for a long time, then the charge of the battery should also be checked. Corrosion on the terminals of the battery can also damage the battery. Car owners should test their battery twice a year and inspect it for corrosion.
Maintaining the Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure has a major impact on the comfort and quality of the commuting experience. The suitable tyre pressure depends largely on the car model, but generally a good tyre pressure is around 35 PSI. If the tyre pressure is maintained, then the tyres will run smoothly and not wear down fast or unevenly.
If the tyre pressure is too low, the car suspension can deteriorate. Therefore, it is important to monitor the tyre pressure regularly to avoid such mishaps. Car owners can refer to the car manual to check the recommended tyre pressures and keep the tyres inflated accordingly.
Replacing the Air Filters
While it may not seem critical enough, air filter maintenance is essential for the smooth functioning of a car. The purpose of an air filter is to keep the environmental pollutants from entering the engine through the vents. The air filter cleans out the debris and the dirt before it blends into the fuel. In this way, it allows the vehicle to function smoothly. Without an air filter, the vehicle cannot run properly. An old and overused air filter can also cause major problems for the vehicle’s air-conditioning system. An air filter works consistently while the engine is running, so it gets dirty frequently. Therefore, it is important to clean or replace the air filter when the need arises.
Maintaining the Correct Fluid Levels in the Car
The fuel levels play a major role in maintaining the longevity and reliability of a car. Maintaining fluid levels in the proper amount is essential to ensure that your car lasts longer and drives better. The six essential fluids of a car are as follows:
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Power steering fluid
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
- Windshield washer fluid
It is important to maintain sufficient fluid levels in the car so that the vehicle remains in good, working condition. Car owners should maintain a schedule so that they don’t skip any fuel changes. Moreover, it can be helpful to keep a note of unusual sounds, vibrations, or odours. These irregularities might indicate a problem in the fluid level of the car and fixing them can prevent costly repairs in the long run.
Following the Manufacturer Car Maintenance Guide
Lastly, following manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule is one the best ways to ensure optimum performance of the vehicle. The manufacturer’s manual is a comprehensive maintenance guide that not only contains common maintenance tips, but also provides specific details on how to maintain your car according to its make and model. These specific guidelines include tyre rotation intervals, tyre pressure figures, what type of oil to use, to name a few. Following manufacturer vehicle maintenance guidelines make the process of car maintenance easy and hassle-free for car owners.
Car Maintenance Can Boost the Resale Value of Your Used Car
Frequent maintenance of the car is not only crucial for the efficient functioning of the car, but it also helps the seller get a good resale value for their car in case they decide to sell it. Following the above-mentioned tips can ensure that the car remains well-maintained in the long term. On the other hand, it is also important for car owners to know the right time for selling their cars. The best time to sell a vehicle is right before it starts to show the signs of wear and tear. If a used vehicle requires periodic repairs and maintenance check-ups, it is a sign that most of the critical parts of the vehicle have already been compromised.
While regular maintenance of a car may extend its shelf-life, it cannot stop a vehicle from breaking down after a certain period of time. In this case, car owners can consider selling their old vehicles timely and get a good resale price for their used car. If car owners cannot manage their monthly budget due to high costs of repair and maintenance of the vehicle, then it’s time to sell their old car and upgrade to a new one.
If you are looking to sell your used car to buy a new one with advanced safety features and improved performance, then don’t forget that with us, you can sell any used car in just 30 minutes while all the post-sale paperwork is handled by SellAnyCar.com’s team.
