The cost of living crisis is in at the forefront of our minds at present and with energy bills skyrocketing and little in the way of governmental support in the UK many households will be looking to shave money off bills wherever possible. There are many ways to reduce outgoings, from ensuring that your loft space is insulated, to reducing mobile phone contract costs, re-negotiating broadband contracts and cutting down on unnecessary trips in the car, but the reality is that many will already have done as much as they can in such areas and will be forced to take more drastic measures in order to get by.
While it is certainly not advisable to skip the annual service of your vehicle, a service is a big expense and many people may consider skipping it for a year in order to fund their energy bills and increased prices of goods across the board. Firstly, let’s look at the facts.
A recent motor Ombudsman poll of 2,000 drivers found that 32% of drivers will spend less on motoring. This suggests that if drivers do not have pre-paid servicing plans for their vehicles many will look to skip their annual service. We must stress that this not only poses a potential safety risk, but gaps in the service history can devalue the car when it comes to selling, so in a way you are robbing your future self to pay for present costs. One further consideration is that the lack of an oil change, carried out during the service can lead to fuel inefficiency, which will lead to reduced MPG, costing you money.
In addition to the Ombudsman poll, Halfords’ own poll of 2,000 drivers in March found that 45% were worried about the costs of maintaining their car and almost 1/3 said they will struggle to pay for their car’s maintenance as a result of the cost of living surge.
So, in spite of all the warnings about safety and devaluation we must be realistic and assume that for many it will be a choice between heating their homes or servicing their car. With this in mind there are some additive products on the market that can help keep your car running more smoothly while you find funds for that vital service.
- Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additive – Great for diesel cars, this product increases performance and cleans injectors and offers corrosion protection by adding to the diesel tank every 2,000 km
- Liqui Moly Motor Oil Saver – Reduces motor oil consumption, potentially giving you extra time before an oil change may be needed. Also regenerates rubber and plastic engine seals such as shaft seals and valve stem seals.
- Liqui Moly Catalytic-System Cleaner – Ensures a clean catalytic converter and reduces exhaust emissions. Also dissolves and removes deposits and contaminants of the intake and combustion system.
It is not only the annual service that is a big potential expense, but also the possibility of needing a kick start in the event of battery issues. A car starter battery such as the X-Pro 57220 is a relatively small investment that could potentially save money down the line.
