7 Tips For Keeping Your Car On The Road

Your car is an intricate piece of machinery built to exact specifications with many moving parts that work in harmony to keep your car moving. Neglect it, and your car will start to sound as bad as a broken record being played backwards. Just like any other piece of major equipment, if it is maintained properly it can last for decades and help you to avoid unnecessary expensive repairs as well. With practicality in mind, here are 7 tips for keeping your car on the road for as long as possible.

1. Adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule
There is probably nobody else that understands your car better than the company that built it. Your manufacturer’s maintenance schedule has important information regarding how often your car’s make and model needs to be checked. Different parts wear out at different intervals so adhering to your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule is an important tip for keeping your car on the road.

2. Check and replace fluids
Your car and its engine have pistons and gears that need to be able to move freely in order to start your car, keep it from overheating and allow it to keep it moving. If your car runs out of oil, for example, you may need to buy a new engine. Therefore, check your oil often, at least every other fill up and other fluids like transmission and coolant at least once per month.

3. Check and replace belts
As you’re driving down the road, there are a series of belts that keep your engine and a/c running and provide power to your steering wheel, for example. If these belts fail while you’re car is in motion, it could cause expensive damage to your engine and other critical components as parts of the rubber from the destroyed belt start flying around under your hood. These belts need to be checked at least twice per year, adjusted and replaced as necessary. The cost to replace these belts is just a few dollars, but the damage from neglect can be $500 or more.

4. Have unusual noises/vibrations checked immediately
Anytime you start to hear unusual noises and vibrations take that as a signal that something is not quite right. Your brakes, for example, will start to emit a shriek when you brake to let you know its time to replace them. Unfortunately, many motorists ignore these warning signs resulting in more damage to the car.

5. Maintain proper tire inflation
Probably one of the simplest tips for keeping your car on the road is periodically checking your tire pressure. Many tire dealers will under inflate your tires on purpose. It is a well-known industry trick that wears out tires prematurely to ring up more sales at the tire store. Check the psi rating on your tires and inflate them to about 5-7 psi less than the maximum rating listed. You need some psi room because heat expands the tire. So, never exceed the maximum psi rating or your tire could rupture.

6. Replace the battery before it fails
Your battery provides power to the alternator to start the car. The battery loses juice over time with every start. Most people wait until their battery is completely dead before replacing it and then wonder why they need an alternator after they just replaced the battery. You should replace your battery at least every three years.

7. Avoid sudden acceleration
Suddenly speeding up your car quickly throws a large amount of fuel through the engine and can prematurely wear out critical moving parts. Avoiding these sudden bursts of energy will help keep your engine running longer.

Do you ever wonder why you often end up in the repair shop right after you had something fixed? Chances are you waited too long to fix a worn out part. Follow these 7 tips and you will be able to keep your car on the road for as long as possible.