3 Simple Rules for Keeping Your New Ride As Good As New for the Long Haul
Posted on: 4 January 2017
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So you have made the jump and decided it is time to get a new car; the cost of a new car can be one of the biggest investments you make. However, too much of the time, auto owners invest in a new ride and see it start to show signs of trouble within a few short years. If you want to see the newness of your vehicle last well beyond the extended-warranty period, there are a few basic maintenance rules you need to keep in mind.
Never underestimate the importance of regular tune-ups.
A tune-up is often disregarded as an unnecessary part of owning a vehicle, but getting them done really is an easy way to extend the new value of your vehicle. Tune-ups involve things like changing the oil and oil filter, checking the transmission fluid, and replacing plugs and plug wires. All of these aspects could easily be considered the livelihood of your engine, so they are definitely important to keep tabs on through the years—even if your car is fairly new.
Keep the condition of your tires in check.
Many drivers see tires as necessary but don't really care enough and then allow the tread on their tires to get pretty low before they consider having the tires replaced. Tires should be kept in good condition because bad tires can mean it is harder for your vehicle to maneuver. If the tires don't have enough tread for adequate traction, this can be harder on the engine because it will have to work that much harder to turn the wheels. If the tires don't have much traction, this means less shock absorbency as the car moves, and that can be hard on the chassis, motor mounts, shocks, and struts. Tire issues are definitely far more than just cosmetic, so stay adamant about keeping your tires in good condition.
Don't neglect seemingly small engine issues.
The engine of your new car is filled with an array of different components that work in unison to make the car do what it should. If just one small thing is out of kilter, it can have detrimental effects on everything else. For example, if you spot a small leak from your radiator, you may be tempted to shrug this off and just make sure you keep coolant in the fill reservoir. However, a small leak can easily get bigger, and if you accidentally forget to add more coolant, your engine could overheat, and this can warp major engine components.
Talk to an auto-repair shop to get started with tune-ups and learn more.