How to take care of your car Quick tips
For most people, a car is the second most expensive purchase, and the costs associated with long-term ownership can add up. However, taking care of the car you already own is often much more affordable than buying a new one, especially if you own it outright and don’t make monthly payments.
With proper care and regular maintenance, you can extend the life of your vehicle. You can also save money on costly repairs and reduce maintenance costs. Below, we’ll discuss ways to take care of the car you drive in this challenging economy.
Keep up with regular maintenance
Keep your car running smoothly, help retain its value and avoid costly repairs in the future by keeping up with your regular maintenance schedule. Consult your owner’s manual for recommended intervals. Plan to have your vehicle serviced regularly within this time frame. Here are some of the tasks to move forward:
- Oil change: For gasoline cars, oil changes are directly related to engine performance. Gary Hardesty, Kelley Blue Book in-house service and maintenance expertexplains, “Oil changes are the number one maintenance task that gives the best performance.” Frequency varies by make, model and type of oil used. In general, you should schedule an oil change every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
- Tire Rotation: Rotate your tires regularly so they wear evenly. This can extend its life and improve the behavior of the car while driving. Plan on a tire rotation about every 7,000 miles. Many car owners rotate the tires when they do an oil change.
- Brake inspection: The braking system is a critical safety component of any vehicle. These should be inspected often. Worn brake pads or rotors can lead to more expensive repairs down the road and also pose a risk to you and other cars on the road.
- Fluid Inspection: Automobiles use several fluids that require regular inspection and replacement: engine coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and more. Check them regularly to prevent damage and keep all systems running smoothly.
- Replacing the air filter: The air filter helps block dirt, dust and other particles from entering the engine. A dirty filter negatively affects performance and can also reduce fuel efficiency. Replace your air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Replacing the spark plug: Spark plugs are an essential component of the ignition system. Dirty or worn spark plugs can cause problems with acceleration, rough idling, engine misfires and poor fuel economy. Depending on the automaker’s guidance, you may need to replace them between 18,000 miles and 100,000 miles.
MORE: Kelley Blue Book Service Advisor
Check the tire pressure
Overinflated tires can cause traction problems. Underinflated tires can reduce fuel efficiency. Both situations can be unsafe and lead to faster and uneven tread wear. Check your tire pressure regularly and check if the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light on your dashboard is activated. Get new tires as soon as they need to be replaced because they are crucial to safe driving.
Drive smart
Aggressive driving compromises your fuel economy and can put excess stress on your car’s major systems. This will ultimately shorten the life of your vehicle. Also, freeway miles are much better for a car than short trips, which can lead to more reliability issues.
A cold vehicle is more likely to have higher exhaust emissions due to “cylinder firing,” says Hardesty, an ASE-certified master technician. “The excess water and fuel that accumulates in the crankcase is not removed since the vehicle does not reach normal operating temperatures. The water then mixes with pollutants, resulting in sludge build-up.”
This situation, Hardesty explains, reduces the effectiveness of the oil lubricant and can lead to premature engine wear.
So plan each outing accordingly and combine errands if you can. Drive safely and smoothly. Don’t let your engine idle for extended periods and avoid stopped traffic when possible.
Keep your car clean
Take care of your car by keeping it clean. Here are some tips:
- Wash your car regularly: If you live in areas with a lot of snow and freezing rain, road salt can damage your car’s exterior over time. Excess dirt and grime can also cause rust and compromise the paint job. Wash and wax your vehicle by hand regularly to keep it looking good. Make sure you use the right products to clean your car. Harsh chemicals can dull and strip the finish.
- Keep the interior clean: Maintain upholstery by vacuuming often and cleaning hard surfaces. Do not smoke in the car to avoid strong odors.
- Protect your vehicle from the elements: Store your car in a garage or under a cover to protect it from sun, rain, hail and other adverse weather conditions. This will help protect the paint finish over time.
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Use certified replacement parts
When replacing anything in your car, use manufacturer-certified replacement parts. Cheap replacement parts may not perform as well as original OEM parts and could cause more problems later on. If you are unsure of the quality of the parts, please confirm with a technician at a reputable service center before proceeding with any repairs.
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Carpool or Carpool
Reduce how often you drive by carpooling with friends or coworkers. You can also use a carpooling service to limit excess wear and tear on your vehicle. This is also a good way to extend the time between certain maintenance tasks, such as tire replacements and oil changes.
Monitor and maximize fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is an important consideration for any vehicle. If you notice a decrease, take your car to an authorized mechanic to diagnose the problem. It may indicate a bigger problem.
For electric vehicles, the battery is a critical and expensive component. Despite recent advances in electric vehicle battery technology, capacity will degrade over time, regardless of your charging habits. For optimal battery health, limit charging on a fast charger to a state of charge of 80% or 90%, depending on the owner’s manual. Also, avoid waiting until the battery is low to recharge.
