By Ty Kelly
The average age of vehicles is around 11 years. Your car might run even longer if you keep it in pristine condition through simple maintenance. Car maintenance steps don’t have to take a lot of hours every month or week.
Taking care of your vehicle might extend its life span for more years. From driving differently based on the season to changing fluids, there are several ways you may consider to make your car run beyond 11 years. Some of these ways include:
- Cleaning the Car
Regular washing might help your vehicle to look new. As you drive, rain, salt, bird poop, road dirt, and tree sap might get on your vehicle. When it is left unwashed, all these messes may cause damages to the metal and paint.
Even worse, these damages are irreversible and lower the resale value of your car. Keeping your vehicle clean might preserve the appearance and extend its life.
- Changing the Filters
Typically, filters stop debris from finding its way to your car’s engine. Air filters may clean the dust and dirt in the air, whereas oil filters can trap abrasive sediments.
The owner’s manuals have guidelines for replacing filters, though it is not a set schedule. New oil filters are usually installed when changing the oil, but changing the air filters will be based on the environment where you drive your vehicle.
- Fill the Car’s Tank
Fuel might serve as a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motors. When the fuel level is low, the car’s pump will suck in air, making it work harder and creating a lot of heat.
With this, there could be a chance that the fuel-pump motor might prematurely wear up or fail when your car’s tank is almost empty. Don’t expect your car to tell you how many miles are empty, but according to Peak HD, you can always fill your tank when it is a quarter full.
- Regularly Check the Pressure and Rotate the Tires
Apart from avoiding potholes and curbs while driving, checking the tire pressure is a great way to prolong your tires’ lifespan. Many professionals recommend checking your tire pressure after two weeks so as to prevent damages.
Rotating the tires may also avoid premature and uneven tire wear. While opinions differ on the way you should frequently rotate your tires, it is a great idea to do it after every 7,000 miles.
- Pay Attention to Minor Issues
Every vehicle has aging signs. Probably, you hear noises when you turn on the AC, or your steering feels off.
Some of these minor issues might turn out to be costly, but you can avoid this through regular inspections. Usually, professionals charge car inspection lower than other services, and they can refund you once the repair is complete.
In Conclusion!
The car is among the most valuable assets, and it is something you can always rely on. These days, individuals keep their cars long before they sell or upgrade them.
Hence, it is vital to always maintain your vehicle so that it can serve you for a long time.
