How to Extend the Life of Your Car

Cars today are built to last. With improving modern technology and a ton of advanced safety features, you can be sure that you will get many miles out of any new vehicle that you may purchase today. However, there’s always extra steps that you can take to ensure the longevity of your car. By following these guidelines, you can extend the life of your vehicle significantly, saving yourself plenty of time and money in the long run. 

Regularly check your car’s fluid levels

Regularly inspecting your vehicle’s fluid levels is one of the best things that you can do to increase the lifespan of your car. This includes things like the oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant. If you are unsure of how to check the fluid or what the correct level should be, you can always refer to your car owner’s manual. You will want to verify that there are no leaks in any of these systems and that the fluid is filled to the recommended level. Inadequate fluid in any of these systems will cause your car to function inefficiently. Depending on the system, you may even be putting yourself in danger by driving with suboptimal fluid levels. If you believe that any of these systems are leaking, it’s best to bring your car into your local service department to be inspected as soon as possible. 

Change your oil on time

Along with periodically checking oil and other fluid levels, you will want to make sure that you change your car’s oil on a regular basis. Today, most cars require an oil change every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. For some older models, this figure may be as little as 3,000 miles.

If you are comfortable performing service on your own car, oil changes are a quick and easy thing to do at home. Before starting, make sure you have looked up how to properly drain the oil, fill the fluid to the correct level, and discard of the old oil. Remember that the type of oil you buy for your vehicle will depend on the make and model, in addition to the mileage you have on the vehicle. If you are unsure whether or not you are buying the right product, ask a professional. 

For some, the convenience of having your oil changed at your local service center outweighs the minor cost savings of doing it on your own. Depending on where and when you purchased your car, you may even be entitled to complimentary maintenance. Some dealerships offer this as a special perk to their customers. 

Remember to change the air filter

Your car’s air filter is an essential component – it keeps dirt and other particulates out of the engine to ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly. If the filter becomes too clogged, your vehicle will lose fuel efficiency and will start to perform poorly in general. Most experts recommend changing your air filter about once a year. However, depending on the conditions where you are driving, you may need to swap out your filter more or less often. 

Repair windshield chips in a timely manner

It’s easy to brush off a little windshield chip – what harm could it do to leave it? However, you should never wait to repair a chip in your windshield. Even a very tiny chip can grow to a large crack in the windshield, turning a minor inconvenience into an expensive and urgent repair. If you notice a chip in your windshield, or any of the other windows, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. 

Protect your car against the sun

Whenever feasible, try and park your vehicle in a shaded area that is protected against direct sunlight. Over time, too much sun can start to affect the paint on your vehicle. Certain interior components may also start to wear when exposed to excessive heat. By keeping your car covered and cool, you can extend the life of your paint job and interior. 

Do not ignore warning lights

It’s very easy for drivers to ignore warning lights that may pop up on their dashboard. Unless there’s a noticeable operational issue with the car, like a strange noise or problems accelerating, many people will put off bringing their car in to get inspected after a warning light is triggered. This can make a bad situation significantly worse, so it’s important to seek help as soon as possible after a warning light is illuminated. By delaying maintenance, you may be further damaging your vehicle, leading to even more costly repairs once you finally head into the shop. 

Periodically check your tires

Many newer cars today will alert you if your tire pressure is low. However, if you have an older model, you may need to manually check your tire pressure periodically to ensure that it is still at the recommended level. Keeping your tires properly inflated helps with fuel efficiency, as well as prevents excessive wear on the treads. By ensuring that your tire pressure is at the correct level, you can dramatically increase the lifespan of your tires. 

You should also regularly verify that your tire tread depth hasn’t worn down too much. You can do this at home using a penny. Simply stick the penny into the tire tread, with Lincoln’s face upside down and positioned toward you. If his entire head is exposed, you know that it’s time to get new tires, as the tread depth has been worn down below 2/32nd of an inch. When performing this check, be sure to test different areas of all four tires. Tire wear can occur at different rates depending on the location. If you find that you are in need of a new set, be sure to check out your local tire center. 

Extending the life of your car is simple – but you have to be diligent about following these guidelines. With a little bit of effort on your part, you can be sure that your vehicle will stay in prime condition for many more years to come.