For many people, there is a certain appeal about owning an older car. Unfortunately, owning an older vehicle often means that you will need to perform more maintenance and work to keep the vehicle running well.

Regularly clean the interior and exterior.

Crumbs, dust, and rubbish may gather in your vehicle’s interior over time. We recommend that you perform an intensive clean of your vehicle’s interior every few months. This should consist of vacuuming, scrubbing stains and picking up any leftover rubbish.

You should keep a bag for rubbish in your car so that it can all remain in one place, making the cleaning process much simpler.

Cleaning your car’s exterior will preserve its paint job and keep the vehicle looking nice and shiny. Use a hose and vehicle cleaning solution to remove dirt and other stains from your vehicle. Use a rag to scrub any remaining stains until they disappear.

Keep the exterior of your vehicle clean by sticking to the road and avoiding dirt, mud and sandy areas.  Try to park your vehicle in sheltered spots to avoid unwanted attention from birds.

 

Keep your engine running healthily.

Regular engine maintenance will keep your car running smoothly and without problems, even at high mileage levels. Follow these tips to keep your vehicle running for years to come:

  • Regularly inspect your engine and its components for leaks or any signs of damage. Top up your fluids as needed.
  • Use the right type of oil that is specified in your car’s manual. Try to find a blend of high-mileage oil that is suitable for your car.
  • Keep your car in a garage during winter. This will take the stress of your battery and other under-the-hood components.
  • Keep track of when your cambelt (or timing belt) was last changed.

 

Keep your lights shining brightly.

Most cars have plastic headlamps that dull over time. The area around the bulb can become foggy and the lights will be dimmer as a result. Luckily, you can clean these lights using common household items such as toothpaste. Find out how.

Eventually, the bulbs themselves will become dim and less effective. You can either purchase bulbs from a car wreckers or bring your vehicle to a mechanic for lighting repair.

 

Upgrade your electronics.

There are a variety of electronic accessories that can give your old vehicle the functionality of a new one:

GPS / Navigation:

Most new vehicles come with pre-installed navigation systems. Thankfully, you don’t need to buy a brand new vehicle to have onboard navigation in your vehicle. Simply purchase a portable GPS system, download the latest map updates and install it in your vehicle. Most GPS systems connect via the cigarette lighter 12 volt outlet like a car phone charger, making them practically universal. Or simply use your smart phone and Google Maps.

Car audio:

Unless your car is relatively new, chances are it won’t have functions such as Bluetooth and hands-free compatibility. Thankfully, you can purchase a head unit with Bluetooth, AUX and USB connectivity for less than $100. This will give your car a much-needed media upgrade, especially if it only previously supported tapes or CDs.

Reverse cameras:

Having a reverse camera is especially helpful for parallel parking and can help reduce the risk of a collision when reversing your vehicle. Installing a reverse camera in your vehicle is relatively cheap and easy and could help prevent many accidents, especially in larger cars where navigation can be difficult.

 

Keep your battery connections healthy and strong.

One of the most common problems with car batteries is that the connections have become weaker due to dirty, corroded or damaged terminals. This is especially common on older vehicles where the car’s battery system hasn’t been regularly maintained. Your car may struggle to start or require jump-starting often because of this.

Unlike a dead battery, this is an easy fix. Simply remove the terminals (remove the negative terminal first) and use water and a rag to wash the two terminals.

TIP: mix baking soda into warm water and then put the corroded battery terminal into the mixture. This should cause a reaction that will quickly clean away any corrosion on the battery terminals.

Next, use a screwdriver to scrape any rust or corrosion remaining away from each terminal.

Once the terminals are clean, reconnect the positive battery terminal first, then the negative battery terminal last. Make sure both battery terminals have full, clean and firm connections.

 

Keep your A/C running correctly.

There are several things you can do to keep your air-conditioning system running correctly. The best way you can look after your A/C system is by regularly using it, even on cold days. We recommend that you turn your air conditioning on full blast for 5-10 minutes at least once a week.

 

Regular servicing extends your vehicle’s life.

As your vehicle ages, it becomes even more important to have it periodically checked by mechanics. A service will allow a mechanic to thoroughly inspect your vehicle, identifying any faults that you may have missed.

Identifying and quickly repairing a fault is the key to preventing worse, more expensive vehicle damage. If your vehicle’s warning lights come on, it is always best to have the fault diagnosed sooner rather than later. Waiting for the warning light to go away will just make the problem worse.

At Grimmer Motors, we employ some of the best mechanics who skill and qualifications mean we can offer you advanced diagnostics for vehicle warning lights, as well as a full range of services and repairs (as detailed above) to help keep your pride and joy running like new.

We will even Wash and Vacuum your car for FREE (conditions apply).

Call us today on 07 855 2037 to make a booking.