Vehicle maintenance: The habits that can extend a car’s lifespan

Vehicle maintenance helps your car’s lifespan by ensuring better functioning. Drivers should conduct regular oil and filter changes, use smart daily habits like gentle warmups, and prioritize tire health, such as regular rotation. Addressing warning signs quickly can help you avoid breakdowns and save money.

Consumer Affairs reports the typical car costs about $400 to $1,200 annually to repair and maintain. Just how much you spend depends on how often you get your maintenance done, as paying attention to early warning signs of problems can prevent more costly repairs and breakdowns.

Who Should Handle Car Care?

Some people are good at handling their own DIY car updates, but complex mechanical and safety-critical work should always be outsourced to experts. You can handle things like visual checks and fluid levels, replacing wiper blades, or switching out engine air filters. When it comes to your safety systems, like brake pad replacement or complex diagnostics, let your trained auto mechanic handle that.

Why Does Preventive Car Maintenance Matter?

Preventative maintenance helps your car’s lifespan by detecting minor issues early. Avoid having a catastrophic breakdown, especially at the worst time, such as during a harsh snowstorm or road trip. 

Just like any home appliance, you can avoid expensive repairs by handling car issues when they’re still small. Things like tire rotation and oil changes will help your tires last longer while also saving money on fuel. Ensuring your suspension is functioning impacts your ability to stop quickly and control your vehicle on the road.

This maintenance helps reduce internal wear and tear to keep cars running smoothly past 150,000 miles.

What Are Good Auto Maintenance Habits?

Take care of your vehicle by performing monthly quick checks. These include using a digital gauge to assess tire pressure. You should also inspect your tire tread regularly using the penny test: insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires have worn to unsafe levels and require replacement.

When it’s time to replace your tires, online retailers like Tire Agent offer a convenient alternative to traditional tire shops. You can compare prices, options, and specifications from home, and then install the tires yourself or arrange for them to be put on your car at a local shop.

Routinely check your fluid levels by topping off engine oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. 

Change your oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or every six months, as fresh oil lubricates your engine parts and old oil breaks down over time and loses its ability to protect against wear.

Always consult your vehicle owner’s manual for specific manufacturing recommendations.

How Do I Know It’s Time for Upkeep?

Get a professional inspection if you hear strange noises when braking or see a dashboard warning light. A flashing check-engine light is more urgent than a steady one – it usually means your engine is misfiring, which can send unburned fuel into the exhaust and damage your catalytic converter within minutes.

If it starts flashing, pull over safely, turn off the engine, and have the car towed or inspected rather than continuing to drive.

Physical warning signs include:

• Visible fluid spots on your driveway
• Ticking noises
• Clunking noises 
• Vibrations
• Pulling to one side when steering 
• Grinding brakes 
• Big change in fuel economy

Car Care Is Vital for Car Life

Don’t ignore vehicle maintenance if you want your car to keep functioning safely and efficiently. A car is an investment that you must take care of, from cleaning to fluid checks to diagnostics to ensure systems are running. 

There are minor things you can take care of yourself, like topping off your oil; however, it’s always worth having a good local auto mechanic who knows how to take care of your car’s inner workings. 

Learn more about auto maintenance and other life tips by checking out more articles on our website.