From Uche Usim, Abuja
If you might be a type of clinging tenaciously to the parable that automotive possession is an costly enterprise, then have a rethink as a result of you may truly keep sure automobiles on a low price range.
Some automobiles are purely luxurious and they’re for deep pockets, whereas some are utility autos with fundamental options that may be maintained by these within the decrease social strata, offered they persist with fundamental operational guidelines.
First issues first
Earlier than shopping for a automotive, learn to drive. Be taught it nicely. Don’t rush. Let your instructor be an skilled driver. She or he ought to expose you to the rudiments like understanding the fundamental guidelines. This contains understanding tips on how to examine for engine oil stage utilizing the dip stick, observing the tyres routinely to make sure they’re not under-inflated or over-inflated and understanding the expiry date; checking radiator water stage, brake fluid, transmission oil stage, energy steering oil, figuring out battery life utilizing the indicator information on the battery, etcetera. These should be executed day by day and it takes lower than two minutes to run by them.
Once more, know street indicators nicely. It helps.
Know the automotive to purchase
That is very very important. Don’t get dragged into clout-chasing when attempting to purchase a automotive. You’re not in competitors with anybody, as a result of the upkeep is your duty.
your monetary value. So, go for one thing small and inexpensive, particularly if it’s your first automotive. Go browsing and browse concerning the automotive. Learn a great deal of evaluations. Learn concerning the well-liked faults, manufacturing facility recollects, etcetera. Learn and inquire about the price of repairs and elements alternative, particularly the engine and gearbox. Search professional opinion and go along with a trusted mechanic, particularly if it’s not a brand new automobile. The mechanic ought to go along with a superb analysis instrument to detect inherent snags, if any.
Go for smaller, Japanese autos with 4 cylinders. They’ve the very best variety of mechanics by geographical unfold. Once more, they’re normally cheaper to keep up and guzzle much less gas.
After buy
Learn the proprietor’s handbook nicely. Search illumination for grey areas. The ache you are taking to learn it’s your achieve. It can prevent plenty of cash, embarrassment and inconvenience as a result of you’ll uncover that there are quite a lot of issues you are able to do your self utilizing the producer’s information. For instance, tyre change, particularly on lonely roads the place there are not any mechanics and vulcanisers to help in an pressing must take out a foul tyre and set up the spare.
Figuring out some staple items received’t make you susceptible for Shylock mechanics to feast on you. Ignorance is dear.
Don’t overspeed
Please, take this critically. Pace kills as a result of management is more durable and tumbling is less complicated. Apart from that, it stresses the automotive and extra gas is expended. Once more, put on and tear is extra speedy, culminating in expensive upkeep.
It’s safer to not go above 100km/h on highways when on street journeys and much lower than that when driving throughout the metropolis.
Drive slowly on dangerous roads
It doesn’t matter what’s spurring you to go very quick, however hit the brakes when on dangerous roads. They’re the best adversaries to autos and vandalises the suspension system. Go as slowly as you presumably can and make this a behavior. In any other case, you’d be a daily visitor of the mechanic and every go to not solely digs deep into your pocket however shrinks the lifespan of your automobile.
Usually observe preventive upkeep
That is one other main attribute of a automotive proprietor who desires to make sure an extended sturdiness for his automobile.
Don’t wait until your automotive disgraces you in the course of the street earlier than you may have it mechanically evaluated by a superb technician.
Granted that automobiles as man-made machines can malfunction at any time, this isn’t a motive to be careless.
Use mileage to find out when subsequent your automobile is due for oil change. Don’t wait until it turns to grease earlier than doing so. It’s a recipe catastrophe. The identical applies to transmission fluid.
Should you all the time hear squeaky sounds while you brake, it’s doable your brake pads are worn-out or dangerous (substandard). Take the automotive to the mechanic instantly to establish what could also be amiss. If not, it’s possible you’ll find yourself damaging the brake discs and that’s an entire lot of bills.
Once more, in case your transmission is sluggish, go to a restore store. It might be a transmission fluid change, which is cheaper. Should you ignore it, your total gearbox could also be destroyed and your automobile grounded.
Have a purposeful complete or third celebration insurance coverage coverage
This can be a good safety for automobile homeowners, not simply to keep off nosy policemen or automobile inspection officers.
Within the occasion of sure sorts of accident, the insurance coverage saves you cash because the restore is borne by them.
