The Anatomy of Healthy Cars: A Service and Repair Blog

How to Make Your Car Last Longer

by Brittany Marshall

You rely on your vehicle to get you to work or school, run errands, and go on dates; what would you do if it broke down? It is important that you take really good care of your car to help it last as long as possible, which you can do with the following tips.

Check the Fluids Regularly

The fluids in your car are a lot more important than you might think. You shouldn't wait until you have signs of a leak or your car is overheating to check the fluids, as you have already done some damage to the vehicle by this point. Make it a point to check the fluids often, including the water and coolant levels, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Fluids like water, transmission fluid, and coolant can cause the radiator or engine to overheat if they are not filled properly. Not only are you checking the levels, but also the quality of the fluids. This lets you know when it is time to flush them and re-fill them.

Inspect the Car on a Routine Basis

Your car might not always give you obvious signs that it is in need of a tune-up or repairs, so it helps to inspect it regularly no matter how well it seems to be running. Start by walking around the car and checking out the exterior, including making sure the windshield wipers are in good condition, looking for potential damage in the car windows, checking the condition of the tyres, and making sure all the lights are working. Then look under the hood to assess the condition of the hoses, plugs, radiator, engine, and various mechanical parts.

Don't Ignore Odd Noises

There are also some signs to keep an eye out for where your car could be telling you it is in need of repairs. Don't just assume weird noises occur when your car gets older, because some noises are red flags for major issues. For example, if your brakes start to squeak, you need to get them looked at right away. Otherwise, you might be looking at new brake pads and even rotors. Your car could also be making loud noises due to the transmission, engine, or other electrical components. By ignoring them, you are looking at rebuilding an engine or having to replace your car because you didn't keep up with maintenance.

Keep Up With Oil Changes and Tune-Ups

These aren't just recommendations by your car manufacturer, but something every car owner should get. You need a professional to look at your car on a routine basis in order to replace old hoses, change the oil, and look out for potential issues that need to be repaired. Make sure you keep up with proper car servicing.

For more information, contact a car repair service in your area.

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