Your car is one of your most valuable assets. It is also something you surely depend on, to get to work or to pick up your children from school. Nowadays, people keep their vehicles longer before selling them and changing them. It is, therefore, more important to maintain and clean your car regularly to guarantee its longevity. Discover in this article how to keep your car in good condition for a long time!
Monitor Tire Pressure
Your tires connect your car to the road, they are a real distillation of technology. Manufacturing a tire involves more than 200 components. To guarantee your vehicle exceptional longevity, your tires must be in perfect condition. To be sure, remember to check them at least once a month.
It is very easy to check the tire pressure. You can go to a service station, or a car wash equipped with an inflator. To find out the recommended pressure, refer to the recommendations given on the label affixed to the opening of the driver’s door or inside the fuel filler flap of your car.
Make Your Car Sleep in a Garage Rather than Outdoor
An indoor garage is recommended as long as it is clean and sufficiently ventilated. This is the best way to protect your car’s bodywork and prevent the appearance of rust. If your car is driven little or not every day, the battery will also discharge less quickly. Of course, a garage comes with a cost but it is a pleasure to fall asleep knowing that your car is safe! The single timber garages are therefore perfect for families with only one vehicle. A dedicated garage will provide secure shelter for your car and protect it from bad weather and direct sunlight.
Drive Responsibly
Hard stops and starts, high speeds, and tight turns won’t do your car any favors. Instead, they put a strain on your vehicle’s vital parts. This is the case with your clutch for example. When you stop at a stop sign or in front of a traffic light, do not use your clutch to stop your car. Use your brake pedal to stress your brake pads to rest your clutch so it can maintain constant pressure.
Change Your Air Filter Regularly
The air filter protects your engine from dirt and impurities that enter it. It is responsible for the good quality of the air-fuel mixture within the engine. There are several indicators that allow you to detect a bad air filter, but the two main ones are: dark exhaust smoke and/or a lack of power when accelerating. Your air filter should be replaced regularly. Over time, dust builds up in the filter, and this can negatively impact your gas mileage and even engine performance.
Drive with a Hot Engine
One of the biggest causes of engine damage is when you force the car to roll while the engine is still cold. Start your car and take a few minutes (especially in winter) before driving to make sure your engine is warm and properly lubricated.
Don’t Skimp on Oil Changes
While oil changes have long been recommended every 5,000 kilometers, new engines and synthetic oil have made it possible to space out these required services. Today, some engines can run on the same oil for up to 15,000 kilometers. Ask your mechanic about the type of oil you should use and make sure you follow the recommendations on how often to change it.
Listen to the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Recommendations
In addition to oil changes, a car needs several other services as it gets older. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and have the necessary maintenance performed when your vehicle’s odometer reaches a certain milestone. Some operations may seem expensive but doing them will save you money in the long run.
Clean Your Car
Taking care of the mechanics is important; so is taking care of the bodywork. Wash it to remove any dirt that could facilitate the appearance of rust and don’t hesitate to protect the paintwork with wax or polish that will ensure its shine. If your vehicle already has rust spots, treat them with a specific product to prevent them from getting bigger.
After winter, it is important to wash your car, including the underbody and wheel arches where road salt may collect. For your comfort, don’t forget the interior by cleaning the plastics and the seats. If you have a leather interior, polish the seats once a year to prevent them from cracking.
If you follow all these tips, your car will stay in good condition for a long time. On one hand, you will avoid breakdowns due to lack of maintenance and enjoy a safe and pleasant vehicle, and on the other hand, it will keep the value of your car high in case of resale.
