How can you avoid your vehicle breaking down? It\u2019s a perennial question in motoring circles. Everyone wants to know how to make their vehicle last longer and reduce the amount of maintenance that they have to do on it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this post, we take a look at some tips and tricks to guard against vehicle breakdown. The following sections will educate you on how to look after your car better so that it lasts longer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Drive Smarter<\/b><\/p>\n

Unsplash – CC0 License<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t always need to <\/span>race other drivers off the lights<\/span><\/a> or hurl your car around bends. Instead, you can drive smarter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Driving smarter doesn\u2019t mean that you eschew fun altogether. Instead, it means that you drive in such a way that you protect your car\u2019s components. For instance, there\u2019s no need to push the pedal to the metal if you are cruising along residential streets. Likewise, there\u2019s no point revving at lights or braking suddenly, unless you have to because of a hazard. Save your fun for track days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make Your Vehicle More Visible<\/b><\/p>\n

Scuffs, scrapes and bumps often happen when your car is not visible enough on the road, particularly at night. Fortunately, you can <\/span>add reflectors to your vehicle\u2019s rear bumper<\/span><\/a> that make it easier to see in low light conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inspect Tires Before Long Trips<\/b><\/p>\n

In order for your vehicle to work at its best, you need to ensure that you correctly inflate <\/span>your tires<\/span><\/a>. If you don\u2019t, you\u2019ll wear out the tread faster and you may also put additional pressure on other components, such as the axle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Incorrectly inflated tires account for around 25 percent of all roadside breakdowns, so it\u2019s imperative that you check them before every long trip. Remember, tires lose PSI over time. Furthermore, for every 10 degree increase in temperature, there is a one PSI drop. So while your tires might be adequately inflated during winter, the same may not be true by the time summer comes around.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check Electrical Connections<\/b><\/p>\n

Connections between the battery, alternator and engine are notoriously temperamental. Metal wires have a habit of rattling loose and shearing, even in the best-made engines. While <\/span>Cars Protection Plus<\/span><\/a> says that some of these issues are covered by warranty, you\u2019d prefer not to have to deal with them in the first place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get your mechanic to replace connections every year or, if you don\u2019t want to pay for that, do it yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check Your Brakes<\/b><\/p>\n

Because brakes have to process so much heat energy, they suffer wear faster than other parts of your vehicle. Problems with both callipers and rotors can cause serious issues and even put passengers\u2019 lives in danger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check for water and air contamination in the brake cables if you know how to do this. Make sure that the brake pedal doesn\u2019t feel spongy when you depress it, as this indicates contamination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring A Spare Wheel With You<\/b><\/p>\n

Lastly, if you spend a lot of time on the road, you\u2019ll eventually get a flat. A spare wheel can help keep you going in the event of an emergency until you find a mechanic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How can you avoid your vehicle breaking down? It\u2019s a perennial question in motoring circles. Everyone wants to know how to make their vehicle last longer and reduce the amount of maintenance that they have to do on it.\u00a0 In… Continue Reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3370,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n