You can get so carried away by your car’s sleek look and smooth engine that you forget it’s not going to be like that forever. Yes, that baby you adore so much will be a grandma someday and there’s nothing you can do about it.
However, while you can’t stop your car from aging, you can slow down the process and squeeze out as much juice as possible while it’s still in its prime. Nothing is as painful as shelling out a fortune to buy a car and not getting value for your money.
It gets even worse if you’re in charge of a fleet. If the vehicles in your fleet don’t perform as well as they should, all fingers will be pointed at you. Therefore, you have the responsibility of ensuring the company gets a decent Return on Investment (ROI) on the vehicles in your care.
Studies show that people keep their cars for 8.4 years on average. How do you get the best out of your vehicle during this period? That’s why we’re here. Let’s get down to learning time-tested strategies for keeping your modern car at peak performance.
1. Read and digest the owner’s manual
It’s amazing how people start using a car or appliance without first reading the owner’s manual. Also called an instructional manual or user guide, the owner’s manual contains important information about your car. Every piece of information you need to operate your car is presented in this guide, so it’s not a document you can discard.
The owner’s manual contains information about scheduled maintenance routines and other tips to make your car perform at its peak. Something as simple as knowing where to put power steering fluid can make a whole lot of difference. This guide also states the repair techniques suitable for your car. It’s in your best interest to read the manual and follow the instructions in it.
2. Understand how modern engines work
To ensure peak performance of your car, you must be familiar with how modern engines work. Modern engines are a necessary upgrade as a result of the demand for power and efficiency by today’s drivers.
Expectedly, modern engines are different and a bit more complicated than old engines. They’re smaller, smarter, more powerful, and efficient. When you take time to understand how these engines work, you will be better equipped to maintain your car and get the most out of it.
3. Do regular checks
Why do we do regular health checkups? Because we want to ensure we’re in good health and detect diseases early before they become life-threatening. It’s not different with cars. Doing regular checkups on your car lets you know the state of your car and gives you a heads-up on any impending damage.
To keep your car in tip-top shape, here are some essential parts you should inspect as often as possible:
- Brakes
- Oil
- Fuel
- Spark plug
- Tires
- Wiper blades
- Electrics
- Coolant
- Air conditioning
4. Invest in a fleet spare parts inventory management system
If you’re into fleet management, you must manage your fleet spare parts effectively to ensure high performance. Thankfully, technology has made this much easier with an inventory management system. With this software, you can track your parts, manage your stock and control costs.
The fact that all this is done from the convenience of your phone or computer makes it even more appealing. When you automate your inventory workflows, you’re making a huge investment in the optimal performance of your vehicles.
5. Have a service routine
You won’t get premium performance from your vehicle if you don’t service it regularly. Changing your oil and filters helps prevent dust and dirt from causing mechanical damage to your engine. Servicing improves your car’s longevity, keeps you safe and saves you money.
Car servicing is done based on the miles driven. How often you should service your car can be found in the owner’s manual. It’s easy to take servicing for granted when every part of your car seemingly works fine. Don’t be fooled; there’s a reason cars need servicing. Ensure you set out a budget for routine car servicing and don’t skip it.
6. Buy premium gas
Don’t just pull up at any gas station to fuel your car. Be sure it’s a station that sells quality fuel. Some stations water down their product or sell dirty fuel. Constantly putting substandard fuel in your car can reduce your engine’s lifespan and warrant expensive repairs.
7. Optimize your battery with Elysia battery intelligence
We’re in the next generation of battery intelligence and Elysia is leading the evolution. Now, you would agree that to get the most out of your modern car, you need to unlock the untapped potential of your batteries. That’s exactly what battery intelligence is all about.
This technology increases your battery’s lifespan and improves its second-hand value. That’s not all. It enhances safety by enabling you to detect faults and anomalies before they become an emergency. And the best part? It unlocks unprecedented performance for your batteries.
8. Ensure you don’t run low on gas
Running low on gas can reduce the performance of your car and cause extensive damage. When the fuel in your car is low, the pump will start drawing air, sediments, and debris from the bottom of the tank. All these unwanted materials cog the filters and pump, stopping the fuel from flowing and your car from starting.
9. Drive with maximum tire pressure
This strategy might sound inconsequential but nothing can be further from the truth. Having optimal pressure in your tires improves your car’s efficiency. Here’s why: When your tire’s pressure is low, there’ll be more contact between its surface and the road. This increased contact leads to more friction, increasing fuel consumption and wearing your engine out.
However, make sure you don’t over-inflate your tires either. Over-inflated tires reduce the car’s grip and affect its stability on water, leading to skids and slips.
10. Protect your car from the weather
The weather affects your car’s performance and longevity in more ways than one. Understanding the impact of the weather on your car and how to manage it is a great strategy for improved performance.
For example, knowing that extreme temperatures, hot or cold, affect your car battery and engine will equip you to take the necessary precautions during these seasons. In the hot season, you manage overheating by ensuring your cooling system works well.
Likewise, in the cold season, you do regular battery checks to ensure your car starts. Additionally, having a summer car guide and one for winter helps you protect your car.
11. Keep your car clean and smooth
Keeping your car clean and taking care of its exterior doesn’t mean you’re vain. It plays its own role in ensuring your car performs well and lasts longer. For example, when grits get into your car’s chassis and other moving parts, it causes corrosion and makes the parts wear out quickly. Regular cleaning prevents this.
Also, giving your car regular polish gives it an extra layer of protection and stops the spread of corrosion.
12. Store your car properly
Often, people underestimate the effect of storage on car performance and longevity. This attitude is wrong, as storage can have a significant impact on the car’s performance. If you won’t be using your car for a while, be sure to provide the right storage for it.
Invest in wax or sealant to shield it from dust and other contaminants. Also, get a fitted and breathable car cover. Don’t forget your tires. Use jacks or tire cradles to lift the weight off your tires. Finally, ensure your gas tank is full and consider adding a fuel stabilizer.
13. Treat your car gently
There’s a reason cars are called babies. It’s because they need tender care. You can’t treat your car roughly and expect it to perform well or last long. The way you handle your car goes a long way in determining how well it serves you. Here are some tips for treating your car like a baby:
- Don’t overspeed; check the optimal speed recommended by the manufacturer and don’t exceed it
- Don’t let your car idle for too long; it leads to dysfunction
- Avoid braking suddenly too often
- Don’t put too much load in or on your car
- Don’t expose your car to harsh weather conditions
Get the best out of your modern car
Modern cars are sleek, powerful, and efficient. They also cost a tidy sum. So, it’s no surprise that the goal of every modern car owner is to get value for their investment. And if you’re a fleet manager, the buck of getting significant ROI on the fleet stops at your table.
If your aim is to make your car perform at its peak and last for as long as possible, you can’t leave any aspect of your car maintenance to chance. You require a solid plan and strategies, some of which have been treated in this article.
As a fleet manager, you must stay abreast of modern technologies that can help you get the best out of the vehicles in your care. These technologies include inventory management systems, battery intelligence, fuel management systems, and augmented reality.
When you have clear strategies for maintaining your car, you get better performance, increased lifespan, and savings on repair.
