Are you looking to extend the life of your motor vehicle? Cars are an investment. Like any form of investment, it’s important to provide care and attention to ensure optimal protection of your assets.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to promote longevity in your car’s engine and auto body. To get the most out of your investment, here are 10 easy ways to extend the life of your vehicle:
1. Don’t Ignore Your Owner’s Manual
While it’s easy to forget about that stack of pages sitting in your glove box, this little book is your bible to proper car maintenance. As there are an array of makes and models of cars, yours has specific needs and timelines. Factors such as frequency of oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, etc. will be found in your manual. Sticking to your recommended maintenance schedule will prevent costly repairs and optimize drivability.
2. Abide by the Alerts
While ignoring your “check engine” light is easily done, it’s a sure-fire way to wreak havoc on your vehicle. Cars come with indicator lights to alert you when certain systems need attention. If your vehicle is telling you something’s wrong, best to get ahead of it rather than wait for a full auto breakdown.
3. Don’t Skip on Oil Changes
Oil is crucial to your car’s lifespan. It keeps the engine lubricated and cooled so that it can run properly. Without regular oil top-ups and changes, you’re opening your vehicle up to severe risk of damage. In the end, a well-oiled machine is a long-lasting one.
4. Fluid Top-Ups
The oil isn’t the only fluid that affects your vehicle’s overall health. Transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, steering fluid, and many more are heavily used and should be topped up regularly. While this may sound like a lot of work, modern vehicles have savvy ways of telling you what they need. Circling back to tip #2, pay attention to your indicator lights. They’ll alert you of any maintenance that’s required so you can top up when needed.
5. Sun Protection
To protect your car’s auto body, it’s important to shield it from the damaging effects of the sun. When possible, park your car in a garage or under shade to avoid interior and exterior damage. The sun can cause fading, cracking, and bubbling in your car’s paint. However, proper cleaning and waxing techniques can go a long way in protecting your car’s auto body from the sun-rays.
6. Check Your Tires
Car tires have a hefty task ahead of them. They uphold and transport great amounts of weight while providing traction and stability. As such, ensure that your tires are properly inflated to help them handle the road better and last longer. Regularly checking the air pressure, level of wear, rotation, and suspension goes a long way in keeping you and your vehicle safe.
7. Keep Calm and Drive On
Aggressive driving can quickly wear on your engine. Avoid sharp turns, minimize hard brakes and accelerations, and limit the frequency of stop and start driving. Not only will you extend the life of your vehicle, but you will also prolong your fuel usage to get more bang for your buck. Furthermore, staying alert to your surroundings goes a long way in optimizing your car’s life. Doing so can avoid driving over potholes, bumps, and more to minimize destructive wear on your vehicle.
8. Don’t Drive a Cold Engine
Letting your car heat up for a few minutes prior to driving is a safe way to wake up your engine. If you’re short on time, do your best to engage in moderate driving speeds while your car heats up to optimal operating temperatures.
9. Be Proactive in Getting Repairs
Regular maintenance checks and repairs minimize substantial costs and prevents breakdowns. Putting off repairs will not only lead to malfunctions but could lead to a complete write-off of your vehicle. Pay attention to the warning signs and seek professional repairs as soon as possible.
10. Prioritize Quality
When you’re investing in something as expensive as a vehicle, it doesn’t make sense to skimp on car parts. Avoid cheap replacements and ensure that your car is being repaired and maintained by a reputable auto body shop. At Grandcity Autobody, only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) car parts are used. This means that your vehicle is being repaired with parts specifically designed by the manufacturer to suit your auto body.
In Conclusion
You can optimize the lifespan of your vehicle through simple, everyday practices. If your car needs auto body repairs, put your trust in the experienced and professional team at Grandcity Autobody. An award-winning auto body shop in Vancouver, Grandcity is committed to providing high quality repairs, superb workmanship, and exceptional customer service. Reach out today to receive a quote on your next auto body service.