Your car is a substantial investment, and you’ll want to keep it running for as long as possible while avoiding expensive repairs. But you may be doing the wrong things – or failing to do the right things – to extend the lifespan of your car. Here are 7 ways you may be shortening the life of your car:
1. Buying Cheap Insurance
When you’re looking for auto insurance, don’t make price your only consideration. Make sure that the company and policy you choose will pay for parts from the original manufacturer and that your insurer will guarantee the repairs it authorizes. Repairing your car with substandard parts and shoddy workmanship will only cause more problems in the future.
2. Storing Your Car Improperly
If your car isn’t going to be driven for more than a month, you’ll need to take steps to make sure it’s stored properly. Fill the gas tank, add fuel stabilizer and drive it around a little to help distribute the stabilizer. Also, disengage the parking brake and put the car on jack stands to protect your wheels and tires.
3. Driving Through Potholes at Higher Speeds
It’s impossible to dodge every pothole, but if you can slow down when you go through them, you’ll reduce the risk of damage to your wheels and the underside of your car.
4. Getting Gas when the Tanker Is at the Station
If you’ve stopped to get gas and see a gas tanker filling the tanks when you get there, it’s best to head to another station. Sediment is stirred up when the underground tanks are filled, and it can work its way into your fuel filters and injectors. This can cause clogs, poor performance and even the need for repairs.
5. Ignoring Your Anti-lock Braking System
As long as your brakes are working well and aren’t making any noises, you may assume that everything’s fine. But brake fluid attracts moisture, which can cause problems for anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in particular. Moisture can ruin the ABS pump – which is expensive – and rot the brake lines. To reduce the chances of this happening, have your braking system bled at least every three years.
6. Not Cleaning Under the Hood
If you ignore cleaning under the hood, it can allow sludge and debris to build up on your car’s engine, which can shorten your vehicle’s life.
7. Neglecting Frequent Oil Changes
Frequent changes help flush corrosive dirt and metal particles out of your car’s engine, which makes it last longer. This is especially true if you drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic.
To help your vehicle last longer, contact Valley Automall at 702-570-2257 or visit us online today to schedule regular vehicle maintenance or needed repairs.