Car ownership is something that everyone has to go through. So it’s worthwhile for everyone to actually learn how to keep their hefty investments in top condition. Car repairs can be mentally and monetarily exhaustive, so it’s just better to be proactive and keep your car in top condition.
In this article we’ll be discussing the best ways to keep your car in top condition, so you don’t have to shell out on unnecessary car repairs.
How many times have you heard from one of your car enthusiast friends about oil changes? Oil is the blood of your car, and if it gets dirty or runs dry your car will die a slow but sure death.
Most modern cars will alert owners about pending oil changes through the dashboard, so the excuse about not remembering to change a car’s oil is moot.
One common misconception amongst car owners is that oil can last a very long time. Most manufacturers rate car oils to last up to 10,000 miles, but that’s an extreme.
Ideally, you should be changing your car’s oil every 3500 miles. And there really isn’t a reason not to do it. Quality oil can be had for quite cheap, and it’s not a labor-intensive job either.
Modern cars have very good braking systems, allowing them to stop much quicker. However, these brake systems do require maintenance, as the ability to stop cars quicker does come at the cost of faster brake pad degradation.
If you notice a difference in your car’s braking, get it inspected as you don’t want worn brake pads to damage the brake discs.
Don’t park your car out of the shade for extended periods of time. Sunlight and dust particles are your car paint’s worst enemy. The showroom shine will only last if you park your car in a sheltered place where there’s decent insulation from the elements as well.
If you don’t have a car garage at your place, get one from a store like Carportsandmore.com to keep your car in a sheltered place where it will be well-protected against sunshine and dust.
Car manufacturers put warning lights on your dashboard to alert you if the car’s computer system calculates that something is wrong. You shouldn’t brush off these warning lights as inconveniences, as they’re in place for a reason.
Now we’re not suggesting your car will suddenly explode if a warning light comes on, but you may want to get your car inspected to ensure everything is working the way it should be.
Delaying a repair or maintenance can cause big problems for your car in the longer run, which will affect its lifetime value and also resale value.
Sure, your friendly neighborhood car guy might know how to check your car’s oil level, but they won’t know how to fix a problem with its ECU. Modern cars are more sophisticated than ever, and only trained mechanics can handle this complexity.
Dealership mechanics might not be the best at this either, so our advice would be to get advice from friends and family, and of course, Google Reviews to find a trustworthy mechanic that has the tools and experience to work on your car.
So you just bought a Subaru Impreza STI and want to fit a bigger turbo in it? Just know that anything more than what the manufacturer has put in the car already will be a questionable modification.
Cars are designed with specific design limitations, and you can’t be more clever than experienced automotive engineers can you? So think hard before putting those inexpensive Chinese HIDs in your car.
Some car owners absolutely neglect their car’s interior and it ends up being a filthy place with food leftovers and grease. Don’t forget to take care of your car’s interior, as it’s the only place you’ll be spending time in your car.
Driving around a car with a nice and clean interior is a relaxing experience, whereas driving around with rubbish inside will no doubt frustrate you.
If your car’s interior is left unkempt for a long time, the grease and dirt will stick to the plastic and soft-touch surfaces and become really hard to get off.
Also note that if you decide to sell your car, the buyer will judge a lot of your car’s value by the appearance of its interior. If something’s broken or doesn’t work, and if there’s lots of dust and grime inside, you’ll either be low balled or refused the sale altogether.
Fat tires might look cool, but you should definitely stick to the type of tires that come stock with your car. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines about the kind of tires you should use and the ideal tire pressure, since every car will have its own handling characteristics.
Oil isn’t the only fluid inside your car’s engine and drivetrain. There’s transmission oil, windshield washer fluid, brake oil and other fluids that need to be inspected and maintained steadfastly.
Neglecting the condition and level of fluids in your car will lead to a lot of repairs and wasted money, not to mention the frustration when you learn these are easy to take care of.
Headlights get yellow over time, but there’s an easy fix to this. You can easily buy a headlight restoration kit and restore them completely on your own. If any of the car’s lights are broken get it replaced (not repaired) immediately. You risk getting a ticket if this isn’t done.
Likewise, if there’s damage to your windshield get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. If your windows are dirty, clean them as the dirt will lead to minor scratches over time.
