Whether we are people who lease a car to always have the latest model or always buying used vehicles, the responsibility of a car comes with sometimes heavy prices tags that come up unexpectedly. In most cases, we can do as much as possible in prevention mode to keep our maintenance expenses down.
No one can prevent all circumstance. Accidents happen, machines fail, and its best to be ready for these unexpected times. Keeping these car maintenance suggestions in check will keep your money in your pocket and ready for a rainy day. Most will also help keep your car running and performing at its best.
Car Insurance
Although we all should have car insurance and know what are policy consists of, often we accept or deny coverage simply because it’s not mandatory or we think it might be extra. Comprehensive car insurance is one of those types that will save us money in the long run especially with accidents. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that doesn’t happen in a vehicle to a vehicle accident.
If a tree falls on your car during a storm, or a grocery cart creates an excessive dent, or your car is damaged by a break-in, comprehensive will cover the damage. Most of the things comprehensive will cover will be the accidents that are completely out of your control.
Consistent Oil Changes
The engine of your car is one of the most expensive parts of your car. It is what provides all the power. That power creates a lot of heat and heat creates a dry environment. If things are too dry they crack and break easily. Engine oil is there to keep everything cooler and lubricated. In most car manuals, oil changes are recommended every three thousand miles. With the newer models of cars and newer synthetic oils, the recommendation has gone up to five thousand miles. Consistency is important and booking your oil change every six months can prevent a plethora of smaller problems that easily pop up.
When you get your oil changed most chains and car dealerships will check all your liquid levels in your car. They will notify you if something seems off or suspicious and often times will check on tire health. Other fluids that are important in prevention are antifreeze/coolant, radiator fluid, brake fluid, and wiper fluids. Most cars have an oil warning light, and it is best to be so consistent with changes that you never have this light go on.
Seasonal Car Care
This is especially important in areas where there are four seasonal changes. The difference of how we treat our cars in the deep heat of summer and in the depths of below-freezing temperatures can save our cars a lot of wear and tear. Changing tires to best support how the car will interact with the road, having your tires rotated (consistent with your oil changes)and changing air pressure in extreme conditions will have a huge effect on the lifetime of your tires. A coolant flush might be important in extreme seasonal changes so that you have the right liquid to protect your engine from cracking in the cold or overheating in the summer traffic.
In regions of the world where salt is put on roads to break up ice and snow accumulation, washing your car consistently and thoroughly prevents the salts from creating corrosion on the undercarriage and body of the car. Fall and spring debris that tens to fall on cars and stick, can create environments for rust and corrosion.
Keeping Car Covered
One of the best long term money savers is to keep your car covered. In a garage is best, but carports, car covers, or tents can be an excellent way to protect your car from the elements. Ice, wind, rain, snow, sun, and heat can all have their effects on the body of a car. Body repair can be some of the most expensive work, and protecting the exterior will prevent you from shovelling out that money. Also, keeping your car in a driveway or covered as opposed to parking on the street prevents so much uncontrollable damage from others.
Swift Replacement of Failing parts
Smaller things can go wrong with car parts and you can easily ignore them because they are not preventing you from using the vehicle. The problem here is that by not fixing it, you will inadvertently be weakening another part of your car. Wearing the brake pads down will eventually crack your rotors, which end up creating a huge emergency expense. Letting your oil dry can cause overheats and damage to your engine.
Getting To Know Your Car
The technology and mechanics of a car can be fairly easy. The basics can all be learned out of your car’s manual. From learning to change a flat tire, to what air pressure your tires should be, to even changing your own oil. Knowing how your car feels to drive will give you the ability to know when something is wrong and you should go get it checked out by a professional.