Category Archives: Electric Car Maintenance

Are You Worried About Buying Used Cars?

The investment

When it comes to buying cars, it’s generally a pretty big payment, which means you need to make sure you know what you’re getting. There’s a lot of risks when going for used though, as you might find that it has faults of its own, which you would have to deal with if you made the purchase. It’s always best to have someone come and look at it to make sure it’s what you’re after, and perhaps you should take it for a test-drive.

(Source: Pexels)

Why used?

Generally, buying a used car over a new car means you’ll be saving a significant amount of money, which makes the risk of faults well worth it. Many car owners out there don’t care too much for having a brand new, bright and shining car, and can get on fine with a similar model that has one or two small scratches on it. When you look it at like that, it almost makes buying a new car a waste of money, especially if you can’t find any faults on a pre-owned one. You also should consider, any flaws in the car would likely knock the price down a bit, and it’s just a matter of dealing with, or restoring it.

Imagine you find yourself a used car that you really like the model of, and you’re willing to deal with its faults if it means you can own it. The problem here would be that you would need a way to replace any of its faulty pieces, and in some cases that can be quite difficult. If a car isn’t a very commonly desired product, then you may have a lot of trouble trying to locate and buy the right parts for it, so it’s generally better to find out beforehand that you can fix it. You’d do a good job to check around online, and look for things like genuine Vauxhall parts & accessories, and if you’re lucky, you can find products right for you. You should always be prepared to have to put in the extra effort when you’re buying used, especially if you want to buy it knowing there’s a problem. Most people might part with the idea of making that purchase, and move onto another; however, there are times where the idea of owning that specific vehicle can outweigh the costs and effort that you would have to put in.

Your first car?

In most cases, when it comes to buying your first car, it’s usually a used model. Firstly, your lack of experience should indicate that buying a new car would be wasteful and potentially riskier on the financial side. Secondly, most people who are getting their first car are still in education or new to working, and it’s the most they can afford. There’s a lot more than just the base cost of the car that you should be considering because there are constant costs that you’ll have to cover during use. You need to be prepared for insurance, gas prices and maintenance; else you’re likely to be off of the road for longer than you would expect. You’re not legally allowed to drive without insurance, and the other two are physical roadblocks for your car’s driving ability. All of these together can be very expensive, so making sure you have some extra money on the side before a purchase can be a real lifesaver.

Maintenance Musts: Essential Steps Every Electric Car Owner Should Take

Every car owner should take steps to keep their vehicle in tip-top condition. If you’re prepared to look after your car, you’re likely to save money on repairs, and your wagon will be worth more if you ever come to sell. Electric cars are a different proposition to traditional motors, but this doesn’t mean that maintenance is any less important. Here are some essentials for every electric car owner.

Picture credit https://www.pexels.com/search/electric%20car/

Servicing

All cars, regardless of the type of technology or fuel they use, need to be serviced on a regular basis. Servicing involves a series of basic and routine checks, which are designed to ensure that the car is running well and reduce the risk of problems developing. You have to pay for a service, but keeping up to date with services could save you a huge amount of money in the long-term. Servicing an electric vehicle is often more straightforward and therefore cheaper than traditional cars, as there are fewer parts and the mechanisms are simpler. If your car is due a service, look for local garages that offer maintenance checks for electric cars.

Cleaning and polishing

If you’re a driver who takes pride in the appearance of their car, microfiber car wash towels are an excellent investment. Cleaning won’t prolong your car’s life expectancy, but it’ll make the car look more attractive, it will enhance the driving experience, and it’ll make the vehicle more marketable if you come to sell. If you use a car for business purposes, cleaning and polishing the vehicle will help to give off the right impression and enhance the appeal of your brand.

Taking care of your battery

There may be different guidelines for optimum charging for different makes and models, but it’s important to take care of your battery regardless of the type of car you drive. Nissan recommends charging the battery to 80 percent, rather than 100 percent to prolong the life of the battery. Check with the manufacturer so that you get the best out of your battery. While it may not always be the best option to drive with a full battery, it’s certainly not advisable to run your car on empty. Avoid getting to the stage where the battery is on 1 percent.

Tire tips

All drivers should check their tire pressure and tread depth on a regular basis. If your tires are worn, or they’re under-inflated, this can affect the driving experience, as well as putting you and other drivers at risk. Check the air pressure before long journeys and take a minute to inspect the surfaces of the tires. If the pressure is running low and you’ve only just pumped the tires up, you may have a slow puncture, and it’s worth trying to repair the tire or replacing it with a spare.

If you own an electric car, it makes sense to try and keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible. Taking good care of your car will enhance safety, save on repair costs and boost the value if you choose to sell.