Sending off that final car payment is a great feeling. Suddenly you have a few hundred extra dollars each month to use on other much-needed expenses. The trick is to stretch out that no-car-payment lifestyle as long as possible.
The best way to do that is by taking good care of your vehicle so you can watch the odometer successfully reach 150,000 miles or more. One of the most effective – and simplest – ways to help your car last is with regular maintenance and care.
Here are five proactive steps to keep your car running longer:
- Change the oil.It’s the easiest car maintenance step whether you do it yourself or stop by an oil change shop. Nothing ruins the engine faster than neglecting to change the oil and oil filter. Do note, if you are changing the oil yourself, make sure you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, use a professional so you don’t make a costly error. Also, note the date the oil was changed, so you can keep track of when you need to schedule the next oil change. Some newer vehicles will automatically alert you at the recommended mile marker. If you’re unsure about how often to change your oil, check the owner’s manual for a prescribed maintenance schedule.
- Take care of the brakes.Brake fluid is inexpensive so replace it and the bleed system annually. Brake fluid attracts moisture, which causes the brake components to corrode and fail. Hoses, calipers and sensors are pricey so it pays to change the brake fluid and avoid potentially expensive repairs.
- Don’t ignore problems.Check engine light flashing? Brakes making a funny noise? It might be tempting to overlook strange noises or dashboard warning lights, but the longer you put off potential issues the more costly they can be. Fixing an issue early on or discovering the flashing light is simply a computer malfunction is much easier and cheaper than ignoring an engine problem until you’re stranded alongside the road.
- Don’t neglect the exterior. Keep your car washed, waxed and clean. This will protect the paint and guard against rust, especially if you live in or regularly visit an area with snowy conditions and salt on the roadways. The same goes for people who live in coastal areas where their cars are regularly exposed to ocean air. The saltwater can damage the paint. Regular washes and a good coat of wax will help keep the exterior looking new and save you the cost of rust repairs or a new paint job.
- Follow the guidebook.Check the owner’s manual for recommended repairs and a timeline for routine maintenance like oil changes or swapping out the air filter, timing belt or spark plugs. That information is there for a reason and each vehicle may be slightly different. Familiarize yourself with your model’s maintenance schedule and then keep a log in the glove box or set a calendar reminder so you don’t forget about things like oil changes and brake checks.
When a vehicle is new, we tend to treat it like our baby. Then as vehicles age, we’re less concerned about oil changes and timing belts. But that routine maintenance and care will pay off in the long run. Taking proactive steps to keep your car running longer is one of the best ways to not only extend the life of your vehicle, but also save you potentially thousands of dollars in repairs.