Cars aren’t exactly disposable, so it makes sense that you would want to keep your car running in top form for as long as you possibly can. Ideal Automotive offers the following tips to help you take the best care of your car that you can so you can get the most miles out of the investment.
Assess Your Own Driving Honestly
Your driving style matters more than you think when it comes to the life of your car. When you’re speeding a lot, hitting the brakes hard, and cornering at the edge of your car’s abilities, that puts a lot of wear and tear on your automobile. Even being a little more cautious behind the wheel can add life to your vehicle even though it might not seem as if it would.
Pay Close Attention to the Tires
Tires are where your car connects with the pavement, so they have to be in good shape. Tire wear, especially if it’s uneven, can tell you a lot about what’s going on with your car. The tire pressure needs to be within the limits recommended by your car’s manufacturer, and when you get new tires, they need to be properly balanced. Rotating your tires regularly extends their life.
Get Your Oil Changed on Time
Oil changes might feel like a hassle, but they serve a very real purpose. Oil helps to lubricate, clean, and cool your car’s engine. As it moves through the engine hundreds of times, it picks up dirt and metal shavings. Some of that gets trapped in the oil filter, but eventually, the oil gets dirty and thick and needs changing or it will clog the filter. Regular oil changes protect and extend your engine’s life.
Get Factory-Scheduled Maintenance Done
There are other types of maintenance that need to be done, as well. Air and other filters need to be replaced. Fluids, particularly brake, engine coolant, and transmission fluid, need to be checked regularly. Your car’s owner’s manual includes a full list of all of the recommended maintenance, along with timing, so keep that handy and stick to the schedule. We can do your factory-scheduled services.
Don’t Avoid Repairs
It’s understandable that sometimes it’s not convenient to make repairs when your car needs them to keep running, but the longer that you put off those repairs, the greater the risk your car ends up damaged even more. It’s really important to get your car into the shop as soon as possible if anything seems wrong. Signs your vehicle needs repair includes performance issues, stalling, and backfiring.
Ideal Automotive in Blaine, MN can be your partner in car care. Give us a call today and we can make sure that your car has what it needs to keep running for a long time.
