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Not everyone who owns a rusting relic will seek to trade their car in under the federal government’s “Car Allowance Rebate System” or CARS. More widely known as “cash for clunkers” the program has been responsible for taking well over 300,000 aged vehicles off the road so far, models which consume a lot gas and pollute heavily.

To that end, a number of different organizations including those with a vested interest in having consumers keep their old cars going (that is, after market parts suppliers) are offering tips to drivers on how to extend the life of their vehicle. Indeed, with a little extra care, many cars can be driven for several more years which means that owners won’t have to fork over monthly payments for their new ride, a downside of the CARS plan.

Your Valuable Investment

“The fact is that ‘Cash for Clunkers’ is only going to benefit a very small fraction of American consumers,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Many do not qualify for the program and others are very hesitant to spend money for a new car, opting to keep their current vehicles longer. It’s important to remind motorists that those who treat their vehicles as valuable investments and commit to regular vehicle maintenance, end up saving a lot of money.

“In fact, according to Runzheimer International, the difference in the savings over a four year period between keeping a car and buying a new one is over ,000. Even with the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ incentive, maintaining your current vehicle is the best economic option.”

Preventive Maintenance Tips You Need

To help ensure reliability and safety, and extend vehicle life, the Car Care Council recommends these preventive maintenance steps:

So there you have it! Solid tips on how you can extend the life of your car, avoiding costly payments while getting many more years out of your favorite ride.