Adrian Dimakis
Maximizing your vehicle’s lifespan is a result of numerous maintenance habits. It is about keeping a regular eye on fluids, tires, batteries, and others. To conduct successfully all the necessary preventive car maintenance practices, check your owner’s manual. The car manufacturer is the one to go to get some smart advice regarding your vehicle’s health.
Gleaming paint and smooth performance is an outcome of constant checkups. Moreover, your vehicle’s optimum condition is a long-term relationship of servicing each other. The more benefits and cool gadgets your car is able to provide, the more maintenance it will require. Doing timely maintenance will not only extend your vehicle’s life but also save your pocket from costly and unexpected repair expenses. Avoid facing serious mechanical problems by putting in practice the next easy to do tips to keep your car in top condition.
1. Tires’ Pressure Regular Checkups
Tires are the foundation of your vehicle. Having those underinflated will wear them down faster. On the contrary, excessive pressure on the struts due to overinflated tires increases the risk for a blowout. Furthermore, it is clever to rotate tires periodically. By switching left tires to the right, and vice versa, you guarantee these wear evenly. However, it is important to know when to find a replacement, especially if dealing with a special set from a custom wheels manufacturer.
2. Clean and Neat
As simple as this might sound, washing your car regularly is an essential step to preserve the car’s cosmetic value. Regularly waxing it prevents rust and discoloring issues from environmental harm. By keeping a clean and vacuumed cabin, you will increase your vehicle’s value and extend its lifespan.
3. Driving Carefully
Racing your vehicle, especially during start-up or under extreme temperatures, causes long-term damage. During the first 1,000 miles, it is key to set 55 mph as a top speed. Furthermore, it is important to avoid soot deposits from warming the engine parked in the driveway. Remember to shift to neutral at red lights and to avoid holding the steering wheel in an extreme position.
4. Oil Quality
It is essential to limit gas purchases to reputable service stations. This will guarantee oil quality because of regular filter changes. Likewise, avoid filling up immediately after a tanker discharges. Oil turbulence stirs up sediment and ultimately clogs fuel filters and injectors. Just come back later after the oil has settled.
5. Store Properly
If your car will be under long-term storage, the following tips are key. Avoid condensation damage by filling the gas tank before definitely parking it. Draining batteries are a common situation, so it is wise to remove the batteries to prevent these issues. Moreover, it can be clever to avoid brake corrosion by simply disengaging the parking brake. It is important to store the car under shade to protect it from the sun and environmental damage. Either way, protect its paint’s finish with regular washing and waxing. Nonetheless, keep in mind it is not advised to have your car parked for long periods.
6. Conscious Decisions
There are never too many safety practices to expand your vehicle lifespan. From having more efficient driving trips (and making many errands at once), to avoiding heavy loads to protect the drive train, these are just conscious use arrangements. Do not try to save money bypassing necessary inspections and replacements such as the brake system. A monthly brake system checkup can help your pocket in the long term and even your safety.
7. Regular Oil Change
It is a bit of common advice to have oil replacement every 3,000 miles or every three months. However, this entirely depends on make and models and the truth is it can be performed at slightly longer intervals. Even doing so every six months or 5000 miles can be an adequate period for some vehicles. Check your owners’ manual regarding this point before making a decision.
8. Top Windshield Wipers
Easy to change and almost inexpensive, this is a step that is commonly neglected. However, malfunctioning wipers represent a safety risk for drivers since visibility can be suddenly hampered.
9. Fill up the Vehicle’s Fluids
From engine coolant to power steering, fluid levels are important to keep the vehicle under smooth performance. Regularly check if any fluid is leaking under the car and look at its tanks. A clever decision is to keep coolant and other fluids on hand in your vehicle. This way, you have an easy solution if running low.
10. Checking Power
A critical step to keep the vehicle on top condition is to check the battery. This tool powers all the electrical systems and allows the engine to start. It is not an expensive checkup to test the car’s battery at an auto shop, especially if you are around the fourth to fifth year in use, where it should be replaced.
11. Air Filter and Spark Plugs Inspection
The air filter is a little, basic, and yet essential component. Furthermore, it is constantly working. When the engine is on, your vehicle pulls atmosphere air inside to burn with the fuel. Since air is not completely clean, this little piece’s job is to avoid dirt and debris to get in the mixture and disrupt the process. Be sure to regularly clean it or replace the air filter when needed.
Likewise, getting spark plugs checked and replaced about every 50,000 miles avoids carbon deposits, which can hamper the overall quality of the ignition. It is clever to replace the whole set if only one of those shows any sign of wear.
12. Pay Attention to Your Vehicle’s Call
Car’s dashboards have lights for a reason. If one of the lights is on it is because some maintenance or reparation is necessary. Delaying this will not only worsen the damage but also turn this into a more expensive situation.
Keeping your vehicle at its top condition will not only increase its lifespan but also add cosmetic value. It makes it look and work like a brand new vehicle that came straight from the dealer. Sticking with a maintenance schedule for your car will assure the best performance. Moreover, it will avoid unexpected repairs and protect your personal and financial safety. Preventive maintenance is the best investment plan for your vehicle.
