6 Essential Steps for Extending the Life of Your Car

Your car is one of your most important assets—and an expensive one, at that! Most of us can’t afford to be replacing our cars every few years, so a long-lived car means a happy driver. Taking some simple steps towards keeping your car running smoothly for years to come will pay off in the long run.

The following are six of the most important things you can do to keep your car in great shape for as long as possible.

Gentle Breaking In

When you collect your new car, you may be tempted to push it to its limits just to see how it handles. This is far from advisable—for the first 1000 miles, you need to keep your speed below 75 mph, and then below 100 mph for the next 3000 miles. Your engine revs should also be kept below 2500 rpm during this period. This is important, as it allows the engine components to settle in the best way.

Timely Oil Change

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your engine, ensuring everything runs as it should. It should therefore be changed at the recommended mileage—or even before. The best oils to use for your car are the modern synthetic ones, as they have resilient properties and thus remain effective for a longer period of time.

Maintenance of Correct Fluid Levels

The proper brake, clutch, and power steering levels are indicated on their respective reservoirs. They have a maximum and minimum and all you have to do is keep the level between the two marks. There is a dip stick for checking the automatic transmission fluid level, which helps you ensure that the level is where it should be.

Moderate Driving Speed

While driving faster may get you to your destination sooner, it can be detrimental to your car’s condition. Driving at moderate speeds is a habit you should develop if you want to give your car a longer life.

Preventative Maintenance

You need to be proactive in performing maintenance on your car. Waiting until a problem becomes too big to ignore is one of the best ways to damage your vehicle beyond repair. Instead, have a mechanic take a look at your car any time you suspect something may be wrong.

Pay Attention

Pay attention to how your car is handling and what noises it’s making to avoid break downs. Unusual sounds and vibrations often indicate that something needs to be attended to. The same can be said of warning lights flashing on the dash board.

Informational Credit to Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres