Although it would be great if drivers could keep their cars forever, eventually regular wear and tear will cause you to make a visit to your local dealership or mechanic for a replacement. You can keep your car running at its best for longer, though, and avoid the expense of a new car in the process.
Follow a Maintenance Schedule
Don’t just wait until your car is stranded on the side of the highway to hit up your local car service department. Keep a calendar around your manufacturers’ recommended maintenance and stick to it or suffer the headache of expensive repairs later.
“As soon as you purchase a Toyota – or now, if you already have one – take some time to record important maintenance milestones in your phone and set the phone to alert you a few weeks before these milestones are due,” Toyota Service Houston (www.ToyotaServiceHouston.com) advises.
Obviously, some cars require more maintenance than others. The guy who chooses to buy a used Toyota might see more mileage than a used Ford, for example.
Not following the recommended manufacturer maintenance schedule can cause major performance issues down the line, so be sure to be proactive and get your car serviced as needed.
Handling Small-time Car Maintenance to Avoid the Expensive Stuff
Dirty oil or not enough oil in the engine can lead to major problems like a blown engine and cooling issues can arise if you don’t have the right amount of coolant in the engine as well.
Avoid the pain and check your car’s fluid levels and tire pressure regularly to avoid major issues down the line. Don’t wait until you hear or smell something funny. Get under the hood and look around.
Mike Calvert Toyota Dealership in Houston (www.MikeCalvertToyota.com) advises tips like making the effort to learn how to jump start your car and understanding when to schedule regular maintenance in order to get the most out of your vehicle.
Take it Easy on the Gas Peddle
Resist the urge to rev your engine in an effort to “warm it up” or to show off to the guy next to you.
Not only does revving your engine not work at warming up your car, but a cold engine that has been sitting for 5 or more hours has very little to no oil left sitting in the moving parts. Forcing the engine to start moving again so abruptly can cause serious damage to the oil pump and other car parts.
Try not to push your engine when it’s not necessary and you’ll increase the life and performance of your vehicle and avoid trips to get your car maintenance done.
Listen to Your Car’s Warning Signals
It’s a good idea to turn off your radio every now and then and simply listen to how your car sounds when it’s running.
Be on the lookout for odd noises when your car is idling and when you’re pressing down on the gas. If you hear a squealing sound your car may need a new belt or possibly new brake pads.
Scraping or grinding noises can also indicate that you need to get your brakes checked. If you aren’t able to figure out where a suspicious noise is coming from, take a trip to your local car dealer and have the experts give you their advice.
Drive Like You Care about Your Car
Most manufacturers build their cars to last, brands like Toyota Cars are known for it. Take it easy on your beloved car when you’re driving. Try not to burn your car out, the harsher you drive it, the more maintenance you’ll need. You can find a lot of car maintenance schedules online, Toyota Service Houston (www.ToyotaServiceHouston) has huge lists of maintenance guides.
The occasional panic stop or leaning full-throttle on the accelerator won’t hurt your car, but making it a habit to race your buddies as fast as you can down an empty freeway is asking for a higher maintenance bill.
