Everything about cars is expensive, from buying or leasing them to the necessary maintenance to getting repairs done and more. In order to save money in the long run and help your car last as long as possible, it’s important to do what you can to keep your car in good condition. Ignoring maintenance and not getting repairs as needed can not only result in more expensive repairs over time, it can turn your car into a safety hazard.
Cars’ values decrease every year. As such, to get the most out of your money and your car, proper maintenance is key. Fortunately, there’s a lot that you can do in order to keep your car in good condition for as long as possible.
Bear in mind that these are just things that you can control. While good driving and routine maintenance are key components to keeping your car in good condition, you can’t control what other drivers do, road conditions, weather conditions, or when accidents happen, whether it be a full-on car accident, a rock flying into your window on the freeway, or a storm causing a branch to fall on your car.
That said, here are the tips you clicked onto this blog post for.
#1. Inspect And Maintain Your Tires
It’s easy to ignore your tires until you get a low tire pressure light, but you really shouldn’t. Your tires are your car’s legs, and if something’s off with them, it impacts the car’s structural integrity. Ensure that you’re regularly checking your tires’ pressure levels and that you’re having them rotated as needed. Tires need to be rotated due to the fact that they wear unevenly. Rotating them helps them last longer – a blessing, since tires are so expensive to replace.
#2. Change The Oil As Needed
This is another part of how you keep your car in good condition for as long as possible that many people ignore. Depending on how you use your car, how often you’ll need to change the oil varies. Generally, you should get it changed every 6 months. How much you drive can impact this.
Bear in mind that even if you don’t drive your car, it still needs regular maintenance. Cars in storage should have their oil changed every 6 months or so in order to stay in good condition.
You shouldn’t wait for the oil change light to come on before changing your oil. If it does, ensure that you get the oil changed quickly – within the next few days. Ignoring your oil change light can cost you your car, due to how essential oil is to engine function. It is not safe to drive a car that is in desperate need of an oil change.
Changing your oil as recommended helps to keep your car in good condition for longer.
#3. Check The Fluids
This applies to engine fluid, brake fluid, and more. Your car needs all of these in order to function properly. Don’t forget about your windshield wiper fluid either, as you need clear, clean windshields in order to see the road.
This is part of how you keep your car in good condition that you may not even have to think about if you have an auto repair shop take care of your vehicle’s maintenance for you. They’ll typically top off all fluids for you, and checking them is part of maintenance. Thus, unless you’re someone who likes to take care of your car’s maintenance yourself, you probably don’t even have to stress about doing this.
#4. Test The Lights
Is your turn signal blinking faster than normal? Are your headlights not as bright as they once were? If your car’s lights are in need of maintenance, this can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Think about how often crashes almost occur because someone changed lanes without using their turn signal first.
Plus, if your lights need maintenance, you could end up with a ticket. Having your car’s lights tested will not only keep your car in good condition and everyone on the road safer, it also helps you avoid getting ticketed.
#5. Wash Your Car Regularly
Don’t be that rusted car with huge paint chips. Washing your car regularly protects the paint job and the body of the car, in addition to helping it look better longer. Depending on where you live, the type of driving you do, and if you park your car inside or out, how often you need to wash your car varies. Your car may be fine with monthly washes or it may need weekly washes.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask your auto repair technician for advice. They want to help you keep your car in good condition for as long as possible, the same as you do.
Keep Your Car In Good Condition With Paskett Auto
These are but 5 of the different ways you can keep your car in good condition longer. Paskett Auto Care is here to help you do just that. We provide vehicle maintenance and repair services to Northern Utah residents. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule one for your car.
