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Cars are expensive. If you’ve been shopping for a vehicle lately, then you already know that—it might seem strange to hear that from a car dealership, but we’re not blind to reality. Your car is a big investment and represents a lot of time and money, so you should take good care of it and ensure it runs as well as possible for a long time. Some people will drive until a warning light comes on, ignore it for a month, then finally search “car repair near me” online to find a service center that can handle whatever the problem is. We’d suggest a more proactive approach.
The best way to get the most from your vehicle and keep it running for as long as possible is to take proper care of it. Don’t simply react when something goes wrong, but stay ahead of problems so they don’t come up in the first place—or fix them when they’re small. There are many things you can do to keep your vehicle running beautifully, so let’s go over a few of the simplest ones that every driver should keep in mind.
Follow Your Car’s Service/Maintenance Schedule
We’re starting with this because it’s probably the most important thing, and we really can’t stress it enough, though we’ll try. Your vehicle has a service or maintenance schedule provided by its manufacturer; you can typically find it in the owner’s manual, or it might be provided as a separate document. If you’ve lost the service schedule or otherwise cannot find it, we would be happy to help you figure out what it is. The point is this: whatever the service schedule for your vehicle is, follow it.
That guide was created by the people who designed, engineered, and built your car—they know how to care for it. Note both the time and mileage markers on the schedule, and be sure to follow whichever comes up first; if you drive a lot, you will need to have your vehicle serviced more often than someone who only leaves the house a few times a week. This schedule includes things like oil changes, fluid inspections, brake inspections, tire rotations and replacements, alignment checks, and much more. All of these things will keep your vehicle running great, making your daily drive more enjoyable and helping it stay in terrific shape for as long as possible.
Practice Good/Safe Driving Habits
It was a toss-up between this and the previous point for which one to start with, but the service schedule won out (barely). Nearly equally important, however, is that you practice good habits when you’re behind the wheel. This includes things like driving at a reasonable speed so you can maintain control of your vehicle, not accelerating/braking constantly, and driving regularly. Hard accelerating might not be the end of the world, but the more you do it, the harder you cause your engine to work; hard braking will wear out your brakes and tires much faster, and it can be hard on your suspension. Drive your vehicle regularly to keep the engine in good shape, and be sure not to overload your vehicle with too much weight—this is particularly important if you have a truck and like to load up the bed.
Keep Your Vehicle Clean
We promise we’re not just nagging now; it is important that you keep your vehicle clean in order to keep it on the road longer. Dirt and dust on your vehicle can hold moisture that can cause rust and corrosion to the body and frame, so frequent washings help you avoid this. Here in New Jersey, this is even more important in the winter when we all end up with plenty of salt, dirt, and ice on our vehicles for weeks at a time. Clean your vehicle every couple of weeks, and be sure to get the underside to remove salt buildup; this will help you avoid rust for as long as possible and protect the outside of your ride.
Inspect Your Vehicle Every Couple of Weeks
This is an easy thing to overlook, but getting into the habit of inspecting your vehicle on a routine basis can make a huge difference in its lifespan. Give yourself some time every couple of weeks to check your tires to make sure their tread looks good, and they have enough pressure, as well as your lights and windshield wipers. You can check your motor oil once a month just to be safe, and checking other fluids is also a good idea. You might even get in the habit of quickly inspecting your tires every time you approach your vehicle, making it easy to notice if one has lost some pressure or looks off.
Fix Minor Problems Before They Become Major Ones
Building on everything else we’ve said so far, one of the most important things you can do is fix problems as they come up. It can be very tempting when you find out your brakes are getting worn down to ignore that for as long as possible. This creates the very real possibility of a serious issue that damages your vehicle or even causes a collision. Small problems are easier and cheaper to fix than big ones; with cars, small issues today often become huge problems in the future, so deal with them as soon as possible.
Use Your Car’s Parking Brake
This might seem incredibly specific, but it’s important, and a lot of people don’t tend to think about it. When your car is in park, the transmission locks to keep it from rolling. On flat surfaces, this is okay, but on inclines, it can cause damage to your vehicle. Use your parking brake whenever you’re on an incline to protect your vehicle; it’s not a bad idea to use it every time you park your vehicle to build a habit and not have to worry about it.
Let Your Car Warm Up in the Winter
We cannot stress enough how important it is to let your vehicle warm up before you hit the road, particularly in the winter here in New Jersey. If you’re sitting in sunny California or Nevada and reading this, then you don’t need to worry about this nearly as much. That being said, after your car has sat overnight, a chilly January morning can still be hard on a vehicle, even in milder climates, so give your vehicle a chance to warm up.
But here in New Jersey, it is absolutely essential in winter. Start your vehicle and let it sit idle for at least several minutes so that your motor oil can warm up and properly coat all of the moving parts before you put any real strain on it. This will help extend the lifespan of your car and make it much more pleasant to drive since it’s not struggling. You wouldn’t want to be shoved out of bed on a cold, dark morning and immediately forced to run a mile, so let your car have a few minutes to drink some coffee, scroll through its preferred social media feed, and wake up a bit before you hit the road.
Find Service Professionals You Can Trust
Last but certainly not least, it always pays to find people you can trust to work on your vehicle and provide honest information whenever you have a problem. Here at Spirit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our certified service center is available to assist you with anything you need whenever a problem arises. Whether it is time for routine service, you need to put winter tires on your car, or a strange new sound has you worried, our expert technicians will take fantastic care of your vehicle. No matter where you choose to take your car, truck, or SUV, make sure they know what they’re doing and that they provide your vehicle with the care it deserves. This will keep your ride on the road longer, running smoothly, and ensure you get the most from it for many years to come.
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