Hopefully you're starting 2019 out the right way, driving a car or truck that's safe, reliable, maybe a little stylish and (hopefully) paid off! Check out these Powerbuilt Tools car maintenance and tool tips from Eric the Car Guy. Eric is an ASE Certified Master Technician, so he knows his stuff.
Happy New Year!
Not sure what the true condition of your vehicle is? Here are 5 signs I advise my customers to look for as evidence that Father Time has ravaged their ride.
Some old cars are classics. Some are just...old.
Burning Oil
If your vehicle is burning more than its share of oil, it might be time to retire it. Sure, it’s OK if it burns a little oil. Most older engines do, but if you’re going through a quart about every 1000 miles, that engine needs serious help. Likely not the kind of help that comes in a can if you get my meaning. In other words, it’s not likely you’ll be able to fix that burning oil with something you pour into your engine.
Burning the Midnight Oil 24/7 is No Bueno
Rust
As it’s said, rust never sleeps. If your vehicle has surface rust, it likely isn’t a big deal. However, if the structural components of your vehicle are rusty, like the frame or subframe, it can be a real problem. In fact, it can be dangerous.
If you can take a screwdriver and push it through the rust on your frame or subframe, this is not a good sign. If you suspect that you have structural rust on your vehicle, I recommend you take it to a body shop to be evaluated.
Hey Hey, My, My...
Upside-Down Repair Bills
If the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle, you're better off selling it and putting the money towards a newer vehicle. I’ve seen this on more than one occasion - heck, I’ve been guilty of it myself.
You have a vehicle you absolutely love, but it needs a ton of work. At that point you really have to ask yourself if it’s worth it to continue on. The metric would be that if the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle you probably should move on. You can often determine your vehicle's value with a simple Google search.
Death By 1,000 Cuts
Perhaps that’s a bit dramatic, but what I’m referring to here are all those little annoyances that add up over time. Maybe the sun visor hangs down while you drive. Not a big deal, won’t stop you from getting where you’re going, but it is annoying. Then maybe the drivers door lock stops working.
After that, another seemingly insignificant failure happens, and on, and on…There comes a point when you just have to say, “enough!”, and move on.
The Last Straw
Birth of a New Era
You’ve started a new family. Perhaps you’ve been driving a sports car that you really love. Then, you meet “the one”, or the two of you just get pregnant.
Does that sports car still fit in your life at that point? Likely not. Kids are more expensive than sports cars, trust me on that, I have 3 and one grandkid. There is no shame in giving up your sports car for your kids. It may sting a bit, but it’s likely the right decision.
He'll need a car seat, for now...
I hope those guidelines give you food for thought if you’re considering giving up on your ride. Don’t worry, there are plenty of vehicles out there. I’m sure you’d be able to find a suitable replacement that suits your needs and doesn’t give you any trouble. If it does, revisit this list.
Be Safe
Have Fun
Stay Dirty
ETCG
