Top 10 Tips For Stretching The Lifespan Of Your Vehicle

If you want the car of your dreams to stay the car of your dreams, you’ll want to take care of your investment. Luckily, the team at Driver’s Auto Mart has compiled a list of Top 10 Tips For Stretching The Lifespan Of Your Vehicle.

Take Advantage of The Owner’s Manual

Rather than allowing this booklet to collect dust, instead, spend a few minutes reviewing important details such as the maintenance schedule for your car. As former editor-in-chief of Car and Driver, Csaba Csere, would say “Follow it religiously and use quality oil, fluids and parts.”

Don’t Overburden The Car During Cooler Months

It’s also recommended not to overwork a cold car. Csere says that you don’t need to carry out a lengthy warm-up, but rather drive somewhat passively until the engine reaches the optimal temperature.

Don’t Ignore Your Engine Lights

More often than not, it’s common for drivers to ignore their “check engine” lights when they turn on. Even more so, some drivers may even choose to ignore other warning signs, such as strange noise or smells from their car, going through a long period of denial before they’re eventually forced to address the issue. 

This is certainly considered a no-no when it comes to car maintenance. Even if things are tight financially, it’s important to get car issues checked out by a trusted mechanic, especially since the longer that you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.

Stay Shady

Whenever there’s an opportunity to park your vehicle inside a garage or in the shade, take it. Doing this will protect your hot rod from the damaging effects of the sun, inevitably extending the life of your car’s paint and interior.

Inspect Oil and Coolant

By habitually checking the oil and coolant, you’ll discover leaks much sooner, ultimately getting ahead of issues that can be ascribed to low levels. As previously mentioned, getting familiar with the regular maintenance for your vehicle, especially regarding oil changes can help in avoiding high-ticket repairs.

Ensure Proper Inflation

Proper tire inflation is important for helping the tires with handling and extending their lifespan, which is why it’s important to make a routine out of checking the tire pressure. Appropriate inflation is also helpful in getting the most out of your gas, as the tires don’t have to work as hard in getting the car moving.

Try Driving Less…Insane

It’s necessary for drivers to be aware of their own driving behaviors such as forceful driving, hard stopping, and especially speeding up only to brake at a stoplight, which can and will eventually cause more wear and tear on the vehicle. These destructive behaviors will also have a negative impact on one’s fuel economy.

Reduce Short Trips

Csere also suggested lessening the number of short trips made during cooler months, as low temperatures wear on your engine the most. She says that one should try saving all of their errands for one morning/afternoon and orchestrating a trip ahead of time. It may also be helpful to work out a plan to drive to locations that are close to each other.

Follow New Car Etiquette 

For those sporting a new vehicle, it’s best to abide by its recommendations as you break it in, such as changing the oil at 1,000 miles. Despite whether or not it’s recommended, check to see if there is any debris leftover, as this can happen for some cars that spend extended periods sitting on dealership lots, causing fluids and oils to go stale.

Wax On, Wax Off

Lastly, keeping one’s car clean from the inside-out is another must in enabling the car to retain its value and charm. Impurities like sap and bird poop can speed up the lifespan of your vehicle’s paint job. Periodic waxing can aid in deterring this issue, and can even help with marks and deformities.

Driver’s Auto Mart

Now it’s your turn to test out these tips for yourself, preferably one of our various models at Driver’s Auto Mart. Our pre-owned models are practically new, as we carry many cars from 2021, and even some from this year.

Check out and see all that we have to offer on our dealership website. Simply view our online pre-owned inventory and chat with a representative for further information and assistance.

Photo Source/Copyright: Shutterstock via contributor PH888