No one likes to have to take their vehicle in to have it repaired. The fact of the matter is, however, that as a car ages you’re going to need to make repairs. There are some things you can do, however, to make your vehicle last longer:
- Get regular maintenance. Regular oil changes and tune-ups not only help your car run better, they also help your car last longer.
- Avoid sudden stopping and starting. Accelerating aggressively only to slam on the brakes at the next traffic light doesn’t save you any travel time. However, it can cause needless wear on your engine, transmission, suspension and brakes. In addition, it wastes gas.
- Get the right service. When you do need vehicle service, make sure you choose a qualified mechanic.
- Guard against weather damage. To reduce exposure to sunlight and environmental threats, keep your car garaged or at least covered.
- Don’t drive with a cold engine. Before driving off, let your engine idle with your foot off the accelerator pedal for about one minute. Once you get going, drive slowly at first. Try to avoid using your heater and other accessories until the engine reaches its normal temperature, which should happen within about three minutes.