I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.
As your vehicle gets older, it is going to require more maintenance to keep it up and running. Here are some tips that you should follow that will help you do just that.
Regularly Change The Oil
One of the most important things that you can do is change the oil regularly. However, older cars may not be driven that much, and many people think that they should change their oil based on how many miles have been driven since the last oil change. As a vehicle gets older, that engine is going to run into more issues and can benefit from having the oil changed after the recommended period of time. Even if you haven't reached the mile threshold, change the oil when the time comes.
Go Easy On The Engine
Would you encourage an elderly person to run a marathon? Of course not, and the same should be said of an older vehicle. It is not going to be good for the engine to push it by accelerating quickly as if it was a new car. You need to be easy on it if you want the engine to last, and avoid putting unneeded stress on it.
Get Regular Inspections
It is more important than ever to have an annual inspection done on your older vehicles. Much like an elderly person going to the doctor more frequently, the same should be done with your vehicle. Finding problems when they are small will help prevent those small problems from turning into big problems. While it may cost more money for more frequent inspections, it will end up prolonging the life of your vehicle.
For example, one part of your vehicle that doesn't have an indicator for when it needs service is the brakes. Having the vehicle looked at regularly can help ensure that your brake pads and rotors are in good condition and that your vehicle is safe to drive.
Start Up The Vehicle Regularly
If your older car is not a vehicle that you are driving at least once a week, then you should be starting the vehicle at least once a week to keep the engine in good condition. This keeps the oil in a viscous state so that when you do run the vehicle, the oil can lubricate the moving parts properly. Just letting the engine run for a few minutes each week should be enough to do this.
Contact an auto service shop like Gregs Japanese Auto Parts and Service to learn more about preventative maintenance.
Share14 October 2021