As your car ages, so does the “new car feel”. When you put the pedal to the metal, you may suddenly find that you can’t switch lanes in front of other cars and peel off quite as effortlessly as you used to. You don’t need to trade your car in for a newer model to have a safe and reliable ride. Stave off a new car note and save money on repairs by making a few promises to your car for the New Year.
Change Your Oil, Preserve Your Engine
Your car’s engine is one of the most intricate and important parts of your vehicle. Regular oil changes keep dirt and sludge from accumulating and decaying vital engine parts. Staying on top of your oil changes could relieve your engine of unnecessary stress and increase its life.
Get Regular Inspections
Belts and hoses are the unsung heroes of your vehicle’s performance. Day after day, they toil tirelessly while the larger parts they support get all the credit. Caring for your belts and hoses goes a long way to minimizing issues that can arise when belts snap. Brakes should be regularly inspected to maintain performance. As wonderful as it is to have great gas mileage and speed, both factors suddenly seem less relevant if the car won’t stop.
Keep the Fluids Flowing
What do brake fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant have in common? These are all fluids that should be checked and maintained to keep your vehicle in superior shape. Brake fluid is typically a golden color and looks brown when it needs to be changed. Transmission fluid generally darkens as the time approaches for it to be replaced. Coolant should be maintained at the prescribed level. While these fluids may not need to be changed as often as your oil, they should still be regularly monitored.
Keep Cool and Enjoy Your Ride
Regular inspections and fluid maintenance will help to keep your car running smoothly. However, it’s also important to be comfortable in your car. If you’ve ever driven in blistering heat with no air conditioning, you know how fun it is to roast at every red light while depending on rolled down windows for ventilation. Be sure to have your vehicle’s air-conditioning system serviced so you can enjoy each moment in your car the same way you did the first time you took it for a spin. Give your car some TLC and start the New Year off with comfort and reliability in your vehicle.
