Let’s be honest, as much as we pride ourselves in our fantastic parts and service department, we know that everybody hates taking their car to the shop. First it can be frustrating, but most importantly, it can be costly.
One of the questions we get asked the most is how to keep your car in tip top shape for the longest period of time? While there are a lot of individual steps to improving your car's lifespan, we have handpicked these ten tips to help you keep your car on the road, and out of the shop.
10) Drive with care everyday: Ever heard the saying slow and steady wins the race? Drive your car with care every day (especially during very hot or cold days) and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair.
9) If you see the tanker, go somewhere else: If you go to your local gas station and happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.
8) Lighten up your key chain: This one is one that is relatively unknown to most car drivers. It turns out that the weight of a heavy key chain combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.
7) Keep your car clean: Regular washing and waxing preserves paint and prevents rust from spreading on your vehicle. Remember to also care for your vehicles interior by vacuuming and detailing it.
6) Check tire pressure: Low tire pressure causes things like uneven wear on your tires and decreased gas mileage. Make sure to keep your tires at the optimum pressure, especially during times of extreme weather.
5) Research recalls on your make and model: Recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs) are sometimes issued by manufacturers. It’s up to you to research them and keep your car alive longer by following their recommendations. Read up and maintain your car by searching the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website or signing up for newsletter alerts like Automotive News.
4) Change the oil and check your fluids: Follow the suggested oil change schedule for your vehicle found in your owner’s manual. Also, make sure you regularly check your coolant and make sure that it is filled to the line. If you discover that you have a coolant leak, bring your vehicle to be fixed right away.
3) Change your Air Filter: Dirty air filters cause a loss of engine power and reduced gas mileage. Air filters need to be replaced periodically, so make sure you stay on top of this. The air filter screens out harmful dirt and grime that would otherwise find its way into the engine and cause internal engine wear.
2) Change Your Brake Pads: Having brake pads changed is an important money-saving maintenance tip. Not changing your brake pads can lead to your brake rotors damaging, if this happens, expect a much more expensive reparation bill.
1) Regular Service: Taking your car to a professional mechanic will save you lots of money in the long run. Regular checks allow minor problems to found and fixed, preventing them from turning into major, expensive issues. When in doubt, ask. If you sense even the slightest odd behavior, have your auto tech check your car. If you have to take your car to the shop it’s better to have it be a short inexpensive trip, as opposed to the opposite.
See How Easy That Can Be?
Maintaining your car doesn’t have to be extremely costly or hard. As these 10 tips show you, small changes to your driving style and treatment of your vehicle will ensure that your car will be your trust best friend for years to come.
One major lesson to take in is to not put off maintenance on your vehicle. Delaying (or ignoring) your vehicles maintenance can lead your vehicle to suffer more and in the long run cost you more time and money at the shop.
Jerry’s Auto Group is located in Baltimore, MD and offers great service for our four stores (Toyota, Chevrolet, Scion and Mitsubishi) and many other vehicle make’s. For more information or to schedule an appointment, go to jerrysitsaboutyou.com and click on our Parts & Service tab.
