6 Maintenance Tips That Will Extend the Life of Your Vehicle
September 29, 2022
As a car owner, you want to keep your vehicle looking its best and running as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, it can be all too easy to overlook regular maintenance.
Your vehicle has many moving parts — and keeping up with your car’s needs is critical to maintaining overall performance and reliability. Use this guide to learn about six maintenance tips that will extend the life of a vehicle for many years to come.
Change the Oil Regularly
When discussing car maintenance tips, we must mention the importance of oil changes. When your vehicle gets low on oil, it negatively impacts the engine.
Changing the oil on a regular basis with the help of a certified technician can help extend the life of your car and improve the efficiency of the engine. Most manufacturers recommend having the oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for older vehicles. Newer models can wait between 7,500 to 10,000 miles before needing an oil change.
Monitor Fluid Levels
Inspecting the fluid levels is a crucial part of routine maintenance services. When you bring your car in for an oil change, the technician will also check the fluid levels. In fact, it’s best to have transmission fluid flushed and replaced at least once a year.
However, there are some fluids that you’ll want to consider replacing according to your gas mileage. For instance, if you’ve driven more than 60,000 miles, you’ll likely want to have the power steering fluid and brake fluid replaced.
This is one of the most important car maintenance tips because these fluids help your car run reliably. When the fluid levels are low, you potentially run the risk of an unexpected breakdown.
Have Your Brake System Inspected
When driving, the last thing you want is for the brakes to fail suddenly. While these crucial components are designed to keep you safe, unexpected issues can occur and impact brake performance. If you want your brakes to remain in optimal condition — and extend the life of your car as a whole — it’s crucial to have your brake system regularly inspected by a professional.
Usually, you will know that there’s a problem with the brake system when the brake warning light comes on. At the first sign of an issue, don’t hesitate to contact Rob’s Automotive for assistance.
When learning about maintenance tips that will extend the life of a vehicle, don’t overlook the importance of your brakes!
Check the Spark Plugs
Your vehicle has many parts that can wear out over the years, including the spark plugs. Many problems can occur when even one of these spark plugs malfunctions. The cylinders of your car’s engine will not fire correctly if a spark plug has been damaged and is no longer working. This can severely impact overall performance and possibly lead to a critical failure.
Although many maintenance tips will extend the life of a vehicle, it’s important to keep this particular one in mind. Although opinions can vary on the subject, it’s best to replace the spark plugs every 30,000 miles. This way, you can avoid an engine-related disaster before it has a chance to happen.
Align Your Wheels
You probably don’t think much about your wheels until it’s time for a replacement. The truth is you shouldn’t wait that long! It’s important to get a tire alignment service each year to ensure that your tires roll correctly and provide extra protection for your vehicle’s suspension.
On a similar note, having a technician rotate your tires and check your tire pressure is also important. These car maintenance tips combined together can do wonders, ensuring that you have a smooth, safe ride.
Replace the Timing Belt
Have you driven more than 60,000 miles? Whether your car is old or you’ve recently finished driving cross-country, you’ll most likely want to have the timing and serpentine belts in your vehicle replaced. Belts usually only last for 60,000 miles and should be replaced due to wear and tear.
Just like the other car maintenance tips listed above, you won’t want to overlook this one. A broken or worn timing belt can cause significant damage to the engine.
Turn to Rob’s Automotive for Your Car Maintenance Needs
Some maintenance tasks, such as replacing the windshield wipers, you can perform on your own. However, most services should be left to a trained professional.
Now that you know six important maintenance tips that will extend the life of a vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact an expert for a maintenance service today. Rob’s Automotive is certified by 24 major auto manufacturers and is your go-to source for Bucks County towing, repairs, maintenance, and more. Whether you need help replacing your air filter or changing the oil in your vehicle, we can help!
We’re proud to be the leading Automotive, Collision & Towing facility serving Chester County, Bucks County, Philadelphia, PA, Frenchtown, NJ and the surrounding areas with top-of-the-line equipment and over 40 years’ experience. Contact us for all your vehicle needs!