10 ways you can extend the life of your car
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+You don’t need to know a whole lot about cars to know that there are certain basic things one can do to maintain ones car, both inside and out. A little care goes a long way in extending the life of ones car.
10 ways you can extend the life of your car
1. Wait for the engine to warm up.
Most of us make the mistake of starting our car and taking off right after the ignition has been fired. It is recommended to wait at least 20-30 seconds for the car to warm up, after the engine has been started, to drive off.
2. Follow road rules and signs
Maintaining a steady speed and cutting back on speeding helps maintain the smooth functioning of the engine. (It helps to stick to speed sign indicators for this!) Sudden accelerating and brakes affect the way the car performs, over a period of time.
3. Don’t go for the cheapest fuel
Most people fuel up based on gas prices at different pumps. While price comparisons are good, sacrificing quality for price is never advised. Always fill up at a gas station you know and trust.
4. Rotate your tires
This is recommended at least twice a year or every 6000 miles, whichever comes sooner. It’s always recommended to do this at a reputable car service station that knows what they’re doing.
5. Keep your tires inflated
The air does tend to leak out, so it’s important to check tire pressure and keep your car’s tires inflated. Tires that aren’t well inflated cause the car’s mileage to dip.
6. Watch where you park.
Most often than not we like to park closer to the store for our convenience. Parking under shaded areas, especially if the car will be parked for a good hour or more, is recommended to protect the car’s exterior and paint job.
7. Keep an eye on the transmission
It’s recommended to get the transmission fluid changed every 50,000 miles in a car using manual transmission and 30,000 miles for automatic transmission. The figures though are highly debated. Check your vehicle’s auto manual to follow what the manufacturer recommends but don’t neglect doing it all together. (If you get a new car, it’s important to make the first transmission fluid change after 2500 miles for automatic and 5000 for manual)
8. Get the wheels aligned
Even a slight misalignment can cause wear and tear on your car’s tires and affect mileage. It’s recommended to check wheel alignment every 6000 miles or when you find the drive is not as smooth or seems a little wobbly.
9. Clean your car both inside and out bi-weekly, if not weekly
You don’t need to run the car through the car wash every week, to maintain the exterior body and paint job. You can wash it at home and make it a family project! Once a week or twice in a month, clean the insides completely. Remove unnecessary items from the insides and trunk as extra weight weighs on the mileage of the car.
10. Change the air filter
It’s recommended to change the car’s air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles to ensure this does not affect the mileage of the car and strain the engine.
These are just a few tips but important ones to help in the maintenance and life of your car.
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