
Although quality cars like Toyota Honda, Hyundai, etc., usually takes great care fo the owner, there are many ways to make your vehicle’s life longer. So we have devised some tips for you!
1. Take care of cosmetic problems ASAP. This refers to things like spills and dirt. Dirt can cause permanent damage to the paint and spills can stain. Also dirty interiors will smell poorly! So clean up the mess and park in the shade. Make sure you clean the upholstery properly. Items such as leather need specialized attention, so make note. If you get a nick, fix it sooner so that it does not spread. The same goes for the windshield!
2. Follow the manufacturers recommendations in terms of maintenance. These are not just for show, regular maintenance is stressed for a reason! The scheduled services are to keep your car tip-top! And MAKE NOTE! If you decide to sell the car, many people like to see the filled out booklets or some type pf proper documentation showing that proper care was taken!
3. Go easy. Slamming on the brakes is bad for them; they will need replacing faster! A neat MSN.com article has this to say:
“The way you drive has an effect on how long your car — and your gas — will last. “You not only save wear and tear by having good driving habits, but also fuel,” claims Clements. “Taking off fast and coming to a stop quickly can be bad on a car and affect the engine, the brakes and other things.””
4. If you see a light take care of it! Many manufacturers use a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in the traditional ‘Check Engine” light, but those need immediate attention as they can be very bad. Get these light codes diagnose at your local car dealership ASAP.
5. Properly inflate tires to ensure tire life is maximized. See our previous posting for more details. If you have someone do it for your, make sure you press in the pin inside the valve (where it infflates) and look for moisture. If there is some, that means there is water in the tire, which can cause erosion. Also make sure that you rotate tires to maximize their use and not wear down just the same areas of the tire.
6. Ensue proper fluid levels. Things like brake fluid need to be clean and topped. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air once opened so make sure you use a fresh bottle. Ever few years you should make a point to bleed the fluid to ensure impurities are flushed. Also make sure that oil is changed as often as recommended to prolong life of the engine. This, I think, is a well-known rule-of-thumb. We are adding it here because of it’s absolute immense importance. If you drive without oil, you can kiss your engine block goodbye.
7. An interesting one we are adding here: Cleaning the engine. The site rd.com says this about it:
“There are several reasons to wash your engine at least every year or two. A clean engine will run cooler than a dirty one. You’ll be more apt to tackle routine belt and hose checks and the like if you know you won’t get covered with grime every time you do so. A clean engine will also make it much easier to spot leaks and to service components. Remember to protect sensitive engine components — including the air intake, distributor, and electrical parts — with plastic bags before getting started. Use dishwashing liquid or other grease-cutting detergents and a bristle brush to scrub engine and components surfaces. Rinse thoroughly. Heavy-duty engine cleaning products are available at automotive parts stores. Follow the directions carefully. You may also have your engine professionally steam cleaned.”
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Conclusion – There are many, many things you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle. We have covered some here, but there are even more important things. Check your service manual, an Internet search, or consult your manufacturer for more information. Below are the sources cited in this article. The second one will be of some interest for additional reading as it contains some 70+ more tips on this subject!
We hpe this helps, and remember, you can always call us for more information, or with help or service!
Thanks and have a great day
(Salisbury Stores Main – 410 749 2301)
Source1 - http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=498749
Source 2 - http://www.rd.com/money/74-car-care-tips-to-keep-your-automobile-in-topnotch-condition/
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