How to Make Your Car Last Longer

Drive if you must but Singapore is one of the few countries that imposes a mandatory COE which is essentially a 10 year car lease except that your vehicle costs 3 x more than it would in other countries such as the US. Owning a car is a complete luxury. Even though Singaporean car owners may own their cars for a shorter period (average trade-in is 5 years), it is still in the owner’s interest to keep the car in tip top condition as repair costs can be frightening. The article below from Green Planet gives you useful car tips on how to maintain your car from window wipers to the engine.

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7 Ways to Make Your Whole Vehicle Last Longer, From Wheels to Wipers

Planet Green

by Eric Leech

8 Jun 2009

Did you know that many insurance companies figure most vehicles on the road have only 10 years of useful life before being carted off to the junkyard? While there may indeed be older vehicles that should be crushed due to their poor emissions and economy, there are others that will remain quite efficient modes of transportation. In fact, the folks at Environmental Transport Association (ETA) say that keeping your older (less efficient) vehicle, is actually greener than purchasing a newer and cleaner vehicle in many cases.

By following a proper preventative maintenance schedule, you can easily double your car’s useful life, while spending less at the gas pump and at the repair shop. Beyond regular maintenance to increase your vehicle’s overall longevity, you should also ensure the longevity of your vehicle’s individual parts. This can dramatically decrease the amount of waste your vehicle contributes over a year. This includes the oil, tires, brake pads, etc. There are many ways to help minimize the natural wear and tear of your vehicle’s various parts, and these are my top 7:

1. Extend Life of Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are just one of those things that get old and needs replacement. You wouldn’t want to be in the middle of a bad storm when your wipers fail. However, instead of replacing them every few months, you could just as easily extend their life, while allowing them to work at their peak efficiently. The rubber portion on your wipers will always work best when clean, so it is a good idea to wipe them with denatured alcohol (91%) once a month. You can also use fine sandpaper (1000 to 2000 grit) to do the job. This will keep them flexible and better able to hold to the glass and wipe water and the debris away.

Read the article.