Hello Cheetah Family! Have you bought a new vehicle and want to make sure it looks and runs great for a long time? Or maybe you are just looking for ways to bring life back to the vehicle you have had for years. Keep reading to learn how to extend the life of your vehicle!
Keeping Warm
As the weather drops, your engine gets cooler. Overworking a cool engine is hard on your car, especially if you are driving fast or making a lot of sudden stops. If it is possible, let your engine warm up a little bit before you begin your trip. If you are someone who presses the snooze button (we have all been there) in the morning and do not have time to let your engine warm up, drive moderately and carefully until your engine has had time to get to the proper functioning temperature.
Do Not Ignore the Check Engine Light or Expensive Sounds
The check engine light is known to come on over something as minor as leaving your gas cap open. However, many of us tend to overlook the check engine light when it’s trying to tell us something is wrong. Many times the check engine light comes on while the issue is small, but when ignored it only gets worse and ends up costing several hundreds or even thousands of dollars. These things do not go away on their own. Next time your car starts making a noise that “sounds expensive,” do not turn the radio up! A repair now is cheaper than a repair later!
Reduce the Number of Short Trips You Make
Starting and stopping your car frequently does the most wear on your engine. Saving all your errands for one day can reduce the amount of times you have to start your engine. Another great way to reduce engine starts is parking somewhere where you can walk to each of your destinations! While we understand this is not feasible for all locations, especially in smaller towns, it is great for larger and compact cities. Saving trips and walking is also a great way to help the environment!
Familiarize Yourself with the Manual
Many of us just let our manuals sit and collect dust in our glove boxes until a weird light comes on or we need to figure out how to turn the child locks off. It is important to learn about your vehicle and the care that it needs. Open up the manual and read about the suggested maintenance care for your vehicle! Each vehicle suggests different maintenance based on the make and model of the car.
Pay Attention to How You Drive
You know what they say, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” Driving slower and calmer will help increase your car’s longevity. Accelerating too fast or slamming the brakes increases stress on components and wears them out faster. Driving slower is not only safer for you and everyone else on the road, but it’s also better for the life of your car!
Keep It Clean
Cleaning your car regularly on the outside as well as the inside will help keep your car looking brand new as well as maintain its resale value. Cleaning your car will help remove all of the dirt and debris that can cause damage to your paint job if left on too long. Washing your car is especially important in the winter as road salt can lead to rusting. Washing your car will keep your paint looking brand new!
These tips will help you keep your car looking and driving like new. If you plan on driving your car until the wheels fall off, maintenance is very important. If you want your car to be safe and reliable for years to come, make sure your car is well kept and up to date on any maintenance in order to extend the life of your vehicle!