The Nissan brand has a reputation for manufacturing reliable and high-quality vehicles. But wear and tear are a part of life and even these cars need to be serviced periodically. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your costs on a Nissan vehicle and get more value out of your car after you’ve bought it. Let’s explore seven ways you can save on your after-sale costs and keep your car running for longer.
Minor Repairs
Did you know that you can make minor repairs to your Nissan without voiding the warranty? You can keep your after-sale costs down by learning how to do these repairs and replacements yourself.
Your car’s oil, air filter, wiper blades, battery, and tires can be replaced by you instead of a mechanic, which ultimately saves you money. These are simple tasks that, once learned, add to your skill set and add up hundreds of dollars over time. After all, labor costs are not cheap and mechanics may charge you a high price for theirs.
Smarter Insurance
Many Nissan owners fail to realize that you can save on your Nissan insurance when you bundle your car and renters insurance policies. Doing this reduces your monthly premiums and saves you hundreds–if not thousands–of dollars over the course of just a few years. Speak to your policyholders and see if you can combine your insurance for a big discount. Every little helps, and again, this adds up over time.
Avoiding Future Repairs
You can avoid serious repairs and maintenance later on by maintaining your Nissan at least once every 5000 miles. Whether your Nissan was purchased brand new or secondhand, make sure an expert checks your vehicle regularly and replaces any parts that have worn down. By doing this, you will prevent more serious breakdowns, which cost more to fix than the small stuff.
Tire Maintenance
Check your tires regularly. You can do this yourself by following your car manual’s tutorials or finding Nissan tutorials online. Based on these checks, you will be able to gauge whether or not it’s time to change your tires, rotate them, or have some of them retreaded.
Factors to look out for when checking your tires include:
- Tire pressure: making sure they meet the required pressure and that all tires share the same pressure all around.
- Cracks in your tires: if you notice cracks on your tires, this could be an indication that the rubber is wearing due to excessive driving or weather conditions.
- Tire bubbles: bubbles or bulges on your tires indicate that the rubber is compromised and a change of tire will soon be needed.
- Tread: Use a ruler to check the tread of your tires to see whether they are wearing down faster in some places (or on certain tires) more than others.
Driving Habits
Driving carefully is a sure way to get the most value out of your Nissan. Slow driving, keeping to the speed limit, and staying aware of your surroundings not only minimizes the wear and tear on your car but also saves fuel and prevents accidents from occurring.
Even though your Nissan might be insured, always do your best to avoid accidents. An accident will increase your insurance premiums, cost you time, and you’ll have to fork out a fair amount of money on your excess. Good driving habits can eventually lead to lower insurance premiums since your driver’s history will be taken into account whenever you apply for a policy.
Car Protection
There are various investments you can make to protect your car, such as windscreen protectors, car covers, and parking habits. Park your car undercover whenever you are able and be sure to get a cover for your car for those times you have to leave it exposed to the elements.
Keep your car clean on the inside and the exterior. Consider a car polish once in a while to prevent scratches and cracks in the paint. Maintaining a clear and tidy car does wonders for its longevity.
Fuel Saving
As mentioned, get into the habit of driving carefully. Speeding uses up more fuel, especially if you’re driving around the city or the suburbs, where there are plenty of stops. Nissan is continuously doing their best to improve fuel consumption on every new car they present to their buyers. But nothing saves fuel as much as good driving. Increase the after-sale value of your Nissan by making sure you’re not overspending on fuel when you don’t have to.
Wrapping Up
Get the most out of your Nissan by treating it well, maintaining it often, and learning how to DIY some of your part replacements. The more you do to look after your vehicle, the longer it will last and give you a return on investment on your purchase.