Care and Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch Condition
We've compiled the best expert advice, surprising tricks, and car care tips to prolong the life of your car!
1. Be patient during the break-in period
You've bought your dream car and now you want to make it last as long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember when you pull it out of the dealer's lot:
During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by the manufacturer of your car.
Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
Do not allow your new car to idle for a long time - this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during break in. The resulting oil pressure thus may not send oil to every part of your engine.
Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine RPM below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.
2. Driving with care everyday
To the attention of the car does not have to stop after the break-in. Driving with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair.
Do not race your car's engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it is cold outside.
Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive.The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation.
Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea.The engine is not operating at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
Put less strain on the engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. If not, the machine is still working to push the car even when it stopped.
Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it's very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs.
Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Note the posted speed limit. Avoid fast start, stop, and turns. Avoiding potholes and objects on the road. Do not walk on the sidewalk or hit the tire against the curb when parking. And, of course, do not burn rubber.
When you turn the steering wheel, do not hold in the extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power steering pump-.
Consolidate your driving trip. Most of the wear and tear - as well as the pollution your car generates - takes place within the first few minutes of driving. Perform several tasks at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer.
3. Buy gasoline leading
Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations do not have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly - or worse, water down their products. Find the station you trust and stick to it.
4. Do not fill up if you see the tanker
If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tank at the local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. Like the station underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can generate sediments. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and may require repair.
5. Go easy when you're stuck
When stuck in mud or snow, do not make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as if you're really stuck, do not keep doing it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and difference. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It is a good idea to bring a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.
6. Lighten up your key chain
Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That's a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it's in ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the glass in the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.To add years of service to the ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain allows you to separate your ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in the ignition. If your ignition key "sticks" when you try to start the car, it is a warning that your ignition switch will fail. Change before you get stranded.
7. Choose a good car insurance
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, disaster certainly strikes - typically in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the highest standard by finding an insurance company that will pay for the parts from the original manufacturer and guarantee the repairs that authority.
8. Keep a log of auto
Keep a pad and pencil in the drawer and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. This may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.
9. Preserve your car during long-term storage
If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.
Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A cloth 4-mil polyethylene drop in will do.
Release the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from drying. Place the battery on the charger trickletype. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge with a low-volt charger.
Replace the exhaust with a cloth to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.
