AS YOUR VEHICLE AGES

AS YOUR VEHICLE AGES

An old car vs a new car

A vehicle in many ways can be compared to the human being (body). In fact, most vehicles have similar corresponding features of a human. The brain can be compared to the ECM (electronic control module), the heart to the engine and the tyres to the human limbs. Intake and exhale of oxygen and carbon dioxide can be compared to air mixer drawn into the engine and the exhaust gases through the exhaust tube. The comparison can go on and on.

And it will be appreciated that as a person ages, there will be weakness in body, same with a vehicle. Things will never be the same as you drove it from the showroom or the garage.

The following are major changes as your vehicle makes up the mileage.

Increase in engine oil consumption

As your vehicle makes up the mileage, the components in the engine will start to become stagnant and will need more lubrication just for moving smoothly.

There will be wear in the cylinder bore of the engine due to the up and down movement of the pistons. This means that you will need more oil for lubrication. This is the reason cylinder liners are placed in the bores to make up for the degree of wear. So if you have an older engine, should be ready to buy more engine oil than usual.

Wear and tear of movable parts

As stated partly above, just as the human body starts experiencing weakness in the knee and other joints as age catches up, the vehicle also experiences the same. The most affected part is the suspension system which include the lower and upper arms, connecting rod links, stabilizer bar, tyres etc. The transmission system especially a manual gearbox also experiences a greater degree of wear as the mileage increases. This affects the change in gears and smooth ride (operation) of the vehicle. When it is used in a rough terrain, it wears faster.

Higher risk of accident and fatality

There is a higher possibility of accident for older vehicles. This is due deterioration of the safety features of the old vehicle and the body itself. Parts like the brake system.

Research also shows that, passengers in old vehicles involved in an accident stand a higher risk of fatality than a new vehicle.

Higher cost of maintenance

My grand mum always complain about the amount of money she spends anytime she visits the hospital and how frequent she does.  Anyone who owns an old vehicle will testify to this. This is because all the individual components have their life span and it’s something you cannot run away from. And once the vehicle function as a unit, a defect in a part will affect the overall performance of the vehicle.

Also, parts of older vehicles which are out of production are very difficult to come by. It is mostly the open market and fewer dealerships which will have them available.

Outdated technology and safety features

Years ago, air bag was a luxury but now it’s a mandatory safety feature.  The push to start / stop button was only found in the super and luxurious cars but it’s now a general feature now. As the year passes on, technology and safety features are improved by various manufacturers. You can buy some accessories to make up for the gap but it can never be as a newly improved model from the manufacturer.

In as much as vehicles getting old and losing it touch is inevitable, it can however be managed such that its longevity and lifespan can be prolonged.

Regular adherence to the following 5 essential tips is guaranteed to increase to increase mileage and consequently life span;

Ø  Don’t Ignore maintenance schedule.

Ø  Make a habit of checking your fluids.

Ø  Drive carefully and listen for unusual noise.

Ø  Rotate your tyres and check their pressure regularly.

Ø  Wash and wax regularly.

About the Author

Edmond Nana Cabir Flynt is a vehicle sales advisor and consultant based in Takoradi - Ghana. He is also a volunteer, an entrepreneur, and an auto show radio presenter.

For further enquiry, consultation, advertisement, product promotion (vehicle related), vehicle and accessory sale, contact him on the following numbers +233(0)209461930 /+233(0)548383591 and email nanaflynt@gmail.com

Follow me on social media

Facebook: Edmond Nana Flynt

Twitter: @nanaflynt

LinkedIn : Edmond Nana Flynt

WhatsApp : +233 (0)20 9461390

Instagram: @nanaflynt

Editor

Matthew Odoom Ntsiful - He has moonlighted as an editor since his undergraduate days at University of Ghana, where he edited papers for fellow students. He recently made a career decision to become a full time freelance editor and writer. He doubles as a Sales and Marketing consultant with concentration on Digital Marketing.