Top 10 Car Maintenance Tips
The best way to keep your new or new-to-you car running reliably is to practice good car care. That’s especially true for older cars, which may need a little more attention than new ones. Whatever its age, it’s important to know how to take care of your car.
Why Maintenance Matters
A car that’s well-maintained will save you money and hassle in the long run. Following the recommendations of your owner’s manual or your mechanic may seem like overkill, but it pays off in the long run. You will never have to wonder if your hold heap is going to start when you want to drive it. You’ll never have to worry about breaking down in the middle of nowhere.
If you know how to take care of your car, you’ll enjoy it for many happy years. If you don’t, you’ll end up spending lots of money on emergency fixes and wondering what went wrong.
How to Take Care of Your Car
Whether you buy a used car or a new one, you’re going to have to maintain it. The expenses of a car don’t end with the monthly payment and your gas bill. You have to factor in the expenses of regular oil changes, yearly overhauls, and regular touch-ups. It’s all part of the package of car ownership.
If you’ve done your best and your car just doesn’t show any spark of life, call 800CarBuyers. We’ll buy it from you with no questions asked.
Car Maintenance Tips
Age and mileage are a lot less important than the way a car was treated during its lifetime. With the right car care, today’s vehicles can rack up impressive numbers on the odometer. Follow these car maintenance tips to keep your favorite wheels rolling.
1. Change the Oil
This is listed as number one because it’s the number-one step that will keep the powertrain running smoothly and prevent your engine from conking out on you. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations or get on a regular rotation with your trusted mechanic. Make sure to use the correct lubricants and filters, too.
2. Keep a Clean Machine
This might surprise some of you. Keeping a car clean isn’t just for looks. It’s also not just something you should do because someone else in the house is nagging you to do it. Regular cleaning is important for washing away salt, ice melt, chemicals, mud, gas, and other dangerous substances. It’s also important to clean and protect the vinyl or leather seats and the paint finish on your car. Protect the vinyl from the hot sun with a car or windshield cover.
3. Tackle Your Tires
It’s easy to forget about your car’s tires, but they’ll remind you at the worst possible time that you should have paid more attention to them. Regularly check the air pressure to make sure that they’re not underinflated. Rotate them every 6000 to 8000 miles. While you’re at it, check the alignment.
4. Replace the Belts
Many people don’t think about their car’s timing belt, but forgetting to replace it on time can mean serious car trouble down the road. This isn’t usually something you have to worry about until your car has put a high number of miles on the odometer. If you want to keep driving it, you’ll change that belt when your mechanic tells you it’s time. Similarly, if you’re buying a high-mileage used car, ask about the belt.
5. Watch Those Keys
Older cars are likely to still use ignition keys. If you’re using a keychain that’s weighted down with many keys, a bottle opener, your travel souvenirs and a good-luck charm, your luck is going to run out when your ignition switch refuses to start. Save your car and yourself by using only the ignition key in the ignition. Another idea is to sell your old car to 800CarBuyers and use the money to get a new car with keyless ignition.
6. Change the Windshield Wipers
This is a quick, easy and inexpensive fix that can make a huge difference. You’ll see better, drive more safely and invite fewer problems when you drive with fresh windshield blades. For the best visibility, you should change them every six months.
7. Change Your Spark Plugs
These should be changed out every 30,000 miles or so on most cars. If you’re buying a used car, you might want to check when the owner last did it. If you don’t know or you just want to be on the safe side, have them changed out anyway. It’s not expensive to have done. If you have some mechanical ability, you can probably do it yourself.
8. Flush Them
Flush the cooling system and the radiator once a year. In some climates, you may have to flush the radiator more often. Do them both at the same time to make it easy on yourself. Give yourself a yearly reminder and knock that worry off your list.
9. Get Regular Tune-Ups
You go to your doctor for a yearly physical. Doesn’t your trusted, reliable and much-loved car deserve the same? Take your car care to the next level with regular visits to your auto mechanic. It’s a good way to spot minor problems before they become big ones.
10. Use an App
Are you looking for an easy way to stay on top of your car’s scheduled maintenance? Yes, there’s an app for that! Try MobileMechanic for Android phones or OBD CarDoctor for Android and Apple devices. They’ll help you figure out what’s wrong with your car before you take it in for service. Make life easier with YourMechanic, an app that finds mechanics who will come to you. It’s available for all devices.
Sell Your Car for Cash
You’ve done what you can to keep your car in good shape, but all the car maintenance tips in the world aren’t going to save your old clunker. At a certain point, that’s just a reality we have to face. The good news is that 800CarBuyers can turn that unreliable old beast into a bright, shiny pile of cash. To sell your car quickly and easily, fill out an offer form today!
