Classic cars can last a long time, judging by the way we still see them on the road from time to time. Newer cars, on the other hand, tend to become dated fast. Car owners nowadays change vehicles after just five years or so. They don’t necessarily switch to brand-new cars. Often, people go for used ones that are about three years old instead.
What does it mean to you, then, if you use the same car for 10 years? If vehicles typically start showing problems at the three-year mark, how much more will you deal with after seven more years?
Luckily, a car’s average lifespan is around 12 years, so you won’t likely be dealing with a sputtering engine and a broken A/C with a 10-year-old unit. Still, that’s just two years shy of its possible death. Some people sell their old cars just to be done with it, but finding a buyer for such an aged car isn’t going to be easy.
On the bright side, buying a 10-year-old caris turning out to be a smart decision in terms of budget – provided, of course, that the car is well-maintained. You can sell it to a budget-short buyer who can keep it for five years then resell it again. Your car will be pretty much immortal at that point, all thanks to maintenance.
To stay on top of your auto maintenance, watch out for these issues you may notice in your car in 10 ten years:
1. Alternator Problems
If your batteries refuse to charge, the real issue is in the alternator. A broken alternator will prevent your car from starting or cause it to break down in the middle of the road. Age is a common reason alternators break.
Replace your auto’s alternator if it’s starting to give you frequent problems. From then on, keep track of its age so that you can anticipate another round of problems in the next several years.
2. Worn Spark Plugs
Spark plugs eventually wear and tear, causing failure at the most inconvenient moments. A worn spark plug can slow down your car while consuming more fuel.
Tune up the spark plugs every six months, and replace them every five to 10 months or as they wear down – whichever occurs first. This is the best preventive maintenance you can do to make your car’s electronics last long.
3. Unbalanced Wheels
Unbalanced wheels can go unnoticed for a long time if you don’t pay enough attention to your car when it’s parked. Signs of unbalanced wheels include feeling forced to swerve left or right when you’re driving straight ahead. If you have to exert effort to keep your wheels straight, they’re most likely uneven already.
A high-quality wheel balancing machine should fix this problem in no time. Make it a point to have your wheels’ alignment checked after every 6,000 to 8,000 kilometers to avoid major damage to your car’s or wheels’ suspension.
4. Car Paint Fading or Chipping
Car paint issues are probably one of the first changes your car will experience over time. If it is parked out in the open, it may not even be five years before its paintwork starts to chip or fade. UV rays exposure is the primary cause of fading or chipping paint. Your car’s paint is like your skin, basically.
A new coat of paint will make your car like new again, but try to park it somewhere shaded next time. Consider adding a layer of paint protection as well, such as a ceramic coating. Note that you have to reapply thatmultiple times a year to preserve the car paint’s freshness.
5. Radiator Leaks
If your car’s A/C starts failing and leaving a trail of coolant, you’re dealing with radiator leaks. This may lead to engine overheating if not resolved immediately.
To prevent worst-case scenarios, such as getting stranded because of an overheated engine, regularly check your car’s connectors. Perform repairs or replacements immediately if you spot damage. Then, establish routine maintenance for the coolant by flushing it out and replacing it now and then.
6. Squealing Brakes
Any issue with the brakes requires urgent fixing. Squealing noises when you step on the brake can be a sign that it’ll be unsafe to drive your car in the next few days. Frequent overspeeding causes this problem, as it wears off the brake pads and causes friction – hence the noise.
Don’t ignore squealing brakes even if the brakes themselves are still working just fine. You’ll never know when they’ll stop working and endanger your life. Replace the brake pads at once and enjoy a safe, quiet drive.
An old car’s health won’t be the same as its health when it was new. Like a person, a car’s system also deteriorates with age, even more so if you don’t maintain it properly. Make your auto last long and fit for resale by keeping track of its problems and being efficient with its repairs.
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