Whether you have just bought a brand-new car or you have saved some money by opting for a second-hand one, you will want to try and ensure that your vehicle lasts as long as possible. 

Fortunately, there are several ways that you can help to preserve your car and enhance its longevity, other than the standard advice such as rotating your tires and regularly changing your oil. 

Are you intrigued yet? 

You should be. 

Keep reading to discover the five most unusual ways to make your car last longer. You may be surprised at some of the ingenious tips below!

• Clean your car

Cleaning your car is not just about making it look all shiny and brand new. It is also a great way to aid longevity by cleaning away any nasty contaminants that cause rust and corrosion. 

Auto Clean Freak is a great place to find the latest and greatest products for cleaning your car, providing buyers’ guides for a whole host of car cleaning and detailing brands.

You should aim to clean your car all year round, but especially in winter when there is salt on the road, as this has the ability to cause holes in the metal components of your vehicle. 

• Have a clear-out

Are you guilty of using your car as a space to keep any old junk that you don’t have room for in either your home or your garage? If yes, you are far from alone. However, that doesn’t mean that it is a good idea. In fact, overloading your car can impact the engine, transmission, brakes, and the suspension, causing unnecessary strain that will take miles off your car’s life. 

By simply having a good clear out and only keeping essential items in your vehicle, you can easily get a few additional miles per gallon and help your car last longer. 

• Don’t rush to roll

If you often find yourself in a rush in the mornings, and who doesn’t, you may find that you jump in your car and immediately zoom off down the road. Unfortunately, this is not that great for your car. 

Just like us, your car would appreciate a few minutes to warm up in the morning before it is required to operate on full throttle. So, next time you start your car, leave it for 30-60 seconds before you set off to allow the oil to get up to the right temperature and flow through all the components of your engine. 

• Pick your routes wisely 

Although this may seem like a lot of work, if you often drive your car down roads that are in disrepair, you could be doing a lot of damage that can prove costly to fix. Badly surfaced roads can cause broken springs, buckled wheels, and damaged tires over time, taking a serious toll on your car’s overall wellbeing. 

• Use it regularly 

If you have more than one car in your family, and one vehicle tends to get used the most while the other sits in the garage, the latter vehicle could be deteriorating without you even realizing it. 

Cars that are left for weeks on end without being driven often experience flat batteries, seized-up brakes and clutches, and even stale fuel if you leave them long enough. 

Therefore, it is a good idea to take your car out for a spin at least once every few days, even if it is just around the block a few times.