Make Your Car Last

So what exactly should you do to take care of your car? First, don’t put off any maintenance or repairs that are needed.  If something is broken and you continue to drive, it will damage other components.  This will eventually lead to more expensive repairs and/or a reduced lifespan.  Listen to your car, watch for the warning lights and heed them. Many cars now have sensors that monitor the type of driving you’re doing, engine heat and other factors and then let you know when maintenance is needed.

Baby Your Car with Regular Maintenance

Second, stay on top of the maintenance recommendations.  No, I don’t mean that you need to do everything the mechanic or the dealership tell you to do.  They often try to sell you more than you really need.  Instead, read the car’s owner’s manual.  If you don’t have one, go to eBay and buy one.  There are usually a regular maintenance schedule and an extreme-use maintenance schedule.  What’s extreme use?  Well, if you live in a very hot or cold climate, or by the ocean, or drive in dusty conditions or make a lot of short trips or tow a trailer, you should follow the extreme use maintenance schedule.  Don’t skimp, even though it costs time and money.  It will more than come back to you in the long run.

Only use parts and fluids that meet manufacturer specifications. Using cheap no-name parts or fluids can cost you more in the long run.  The easy way to do this, of course is to get your car serviced at the dealership with genuine oem parts.  But independent mechanics can also use good parts.  Just be sure to ask.

Is  it Too Late to Start Now?

Absolutely not!  Even if you haven’t taken spectacular care of your car, you should start now. While it might not last as long as it would have if it had been well cared-for since day one, you can still extend its life with good care now, unless it’s on its very last leg already.

When it’s time to give it up

There is a point when it’s more cost effective to get a new (or used) car. If your car needs repairs that exceed its value, it’s time to say goodbye.  To get an idea of what your car is worth, check out Kelley Blue Book or Auto Trader.  Also, if it’s had major damage from an accident or flood it may be time to let it go.  Lastly, if you repair it and it’s still unreliable and leaves you stranded, it’s time to move on.

Buying a New or Used Car

This is a great time to buy a car.  Dealers are making unbelievable deals right now.  You might want to consider buying a used car. You can save the depreciation that happens as soon as a new car is driven off the lot.  And you can get a lot of information about the car’s history from Carfax. Some used car dealerships even offer Carfax reports for free. Research the model you’re looking at and get the best possible deal on a reliable car.  You’ll spend less time and money on repairs and hopefully this car will last 10 years or more!