Don’t Ignore Gauges and Dashboard Warning Lights

Many drivers have a tendency of dismissing dashboard warning lights hoping that they will just go away. However, if you ever start your car and notice a strange light blinking in the instrument cluster, it is highly important that you look into it as soon as possible. Ignoring these alerts can lead to preventable and costly damage.

Each of your car’s warning lights and alerts conveys particular information. While some are designed to notify you when you are running low on gas or to remind you to buckle your seatbelt, others signal major problems with your car. There are various resources available to help you learn what each of these lights mean and the severity of the problem. However, it is always best to consult your owner’s manual or a mechanic.

By keeping an eye on your car’s gauges, you can be able to catch problems before they develop. Pay attention to your RPMs, battery charge level, and engine temperature when driving. These gauges can tell you when something is wrong and allow you to take necessary action thus preventing damage.

Regularly Check Your Fluids and Filters

Keep in mind that your engine is made up of many sensitive and delicate moving parts. And as such, they require fluids like oil, coolant, and transmission to function properly. Failure to keep an eye on your fluid levels or regularly change the filters can lead to irreparable damage to these delicate parts. If your car is beyond economical repair you may want to consider scrapping your car.

It is still important that you regularly check your oil and fluid levels on your own, even if you follow the recommended maintenance schedule on your own. It is also smart to inspect and replace your filters while you’re at it (particularly your in-cabin air filter and engine air filter). These maintenance tasks are very simple and take just a few minutes. Doing so can help save you a lot of time and money.

Inspect and Rotate Tires

The wheels and tires are one of the most crucial parts of the vehicle, however, they are among the most neglected parts. Keep in mind that your tires are your car’s only connection to the ground. They have a huge impact on your car’s handling, brakes, acceleration, fuel mileage, and ride.

Given what crucial of a role they play, it is important that you inspect them periodically. Check for issues like uneven wear patterns, low inflation pressure, or excessive wear. These are all signs that it may be time to align, rotate, or replace your tires. You should also ensure that they are at the correct pressure. Maintaining the right tire pressure not only helps to keep your tires in good condition, but also improves your fuel economy.

Use the Right Parts, Gas and Fluids

Not all car parts and materials are created the same. For instance, there is a significant difference between a fuel pump or oil filter from your manufacturer’s garage and the one on ebay. Also, oil from the discount store is of much different quality from that a mechanic uses. Regardless, a lot of drivers opt to go for the cheapest available parts and materials disregarding the damage they can potentially cause.

Rather than using cheap parts and bargain-bin fluids, you are much safer utilizing premium products. In most cases, name-brand products last longer than cheap versions, which helps to save you money in the long term. For instance, high-end windshield wipers typically last longer than bargain ones. Also, synthetic oil typically lasts two or three times longer than bulk oil.

Additionally, pay close attention to the type of gas your car uses. Using regular gas on a sports car that needs premium or plus can cause it to wear or suffer damage over time.

Make Adjustments to Your Driving Habits

In addition to caring for your car’s internals, they are certain changes you can make to yourself as a driver to help your car last longer. Here are some actions and behaviors that can impact your car, including:

• Overspeeding
• Regularly travelling very short distances (less than a mile)
• Rapid acceleration and braking
• Driving off immediately after switching on the engine
• Sharply taking corners and swerving lanes

Generally, aggressive driving will cause your car to wear out much faster than when you drive in a calm manner. It is also a smart move to drive less often, particularly for short trips when your engine won’t run for long enough.

Keep Your Car Clean and Protected

Another important tip to help your car last longer is to ensure that it is cleaned regularly inside and out. You need to set aside time to visit the car wash more often and apply a coat of wax. Not only will this help to make your car look better, but it also helps to protect the paint and bodywork from rust and corrosion and from becoming clogged due to dirt and grime buildup. You can also carry out regular vacuuming to get rid of smells and make your car more appealing. A car wrap can be a good addition as it protects the original paint and allows a change according to carwrapping.ie

If possible, be parking it in a garage or under a carport. This will help to protect it from the elements such as rain, sun, and inclement weather like snow and hail. Preferably you should go for an enclosed garage since it also helps to keep your car from getting too hot or too cold, and it protects the mechanicals, fluids, and electronics from premature wear.