Cars can last for a long time. With proper care and maintenance, your vehicle can keep going for around 200,000 miles, and even reaching 300,000 miles is not out of the question. Of course, you must put plenty of work into getting that type of mileage out of your car. In this article, we discuss the services that make extended longevity a reality for your vehicle. Continue reading below to learn more about those essential auto services.
1. Follow Recommended Maintenance
The first and arguably most important step to maximizing your vehicle’s longevity involves following instructions. More specifically, you must find out the recommended maintenance guidelines for your car and follow them as closely as possible. You will have to keep track of numerous things to keep your vehicle in prime condition.
Oil changes are always among the recommended maintenance tasks for vehicles. The aforementioned services protect your engine from unnecessary wear and tear. They also allow your engine to work more efficiently, so they are also beneficial from a cost standpoint. You can find out how frequently oil changes are required for your vehicle by checking the owner’s manual.
Essential vehicle maintenance also involves working on the brakes. Make sure to flush your brake fluid regularly to keep those components of your car in working order. You may also need auto brake repair due to your brake pads. Some brake pads start to present performance issues as they hit 30,000 miles, so schedule a check-up around that time.
Your tires also require diligent maintenance. Tire rotation is necessary for extended longevity and should be a fixture on your maintenance calendar. Monitoring tire pressure is also a key element in preventing blowouts. Take regular trips to the top auto repair company near you to track your tire pressure.
Other elements of your vehicle that benefit from regular maintenance include your transmission, filters, and wipers. Once again, the owner’s manual should outline what maintenance schedules suit those aspects of your vehicle. Always keep close tabs on them to prevent more significant issues.
2. Fix Damaged Parts
Cars are complex machines that provide consistent performance because of clever design. If even one element of your car is not in good condition, you will notice that immediately. That problematic component can significantly hamper your vehicle’s performance to the point where you cannot use it safely. Fixing a damaged car part should always be a priority, but the urgency of that task may still be lost on some people.
Regardless of how minor a car issue seems to be, you must still schedule an immediate visit to an auto body repair company. Scheduling an immediate visit is critical for a few reasons. For starters, you must talk to mechanics right away to determine the nature of your car troubles. Issues stemming from damaged vehicle components often present similar symptoms, so you must first identify the specific problem you’re dealing with.
Repairing damaged car parts as soon as possible is also a must for enjoying extended longevity. What starts as minor part damage can quickly become a more serious issue. The damaged car part may soon affect other elements of your vehicle and impair its performance. As that problem continues to develop, more elements of your vehicle may succumb to lasting damage.
Don’t dismiss the impact that damaged car parts can have on your security. Even your key fob may malfunction because of existing damage to your vehicle. Set an appointment for car key programming to resolve that serious issue quickly.
3. Hold Proper Insurance
Getting your car repaired when it’s suffering from noticeable issues is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, paying for automotive repair service is not that easy. Many types of car repairs tend to be expensive. Given the option of pursuing extended longevity for your vehicle or putting food on the table, many will understandably opt for the latter. You can avoid making that decision by securing adequate car insurance.
Comprehensive auto insurance can be pricey, but it’s still a smart investment for any car owner. Monthly payments for a complete automobile insurance plan are still easier to pay than emergency car repairs. Thanks to your comprehensive insurance policy, you may be able to secure repairs quickly instead of letting your car deteriorate further.
So, what are the elements that should be included in your policy? Apart from the policies often required by law, your auto insurance plan should also include comprehensive and collision coverage. Comprehensive coverage accounts for damage related to theft, vandalism, fire, and various types of natural damage. Meanwhile, collision coverage allows you to pay for damage caused by vehicular accidents.
You should also secure policies that provide equipment coverage. These policies cover pieces of equipment that are often excluded from basic plans. Some plans also make it easier for you to obtain OEM replacement parts.
4. Protect Your Glass and Interior
A vehicle maintenance strategy prioritizing extended longevity should account for glass and interior protection. Although often overlooked, those elements can have an enormous impact on the overall condition of your vehicle. Issues with your windshield and windows can compromise your comfort and also make your car interior more susceptible to damage. Interior issues can also affect your comfort level and your vehicle’s efficiency.
The importance of keeping your vehicle’s glass and interior components in prime condition cannot be overstated. There are things you can do to protect your windshield and windows, such as cleaning regularly, avoiding exposed parking spots, and repairing cracks quickly. A window tint service can also save the glass components of your vehicle from lasting damage. If the damage to your windshield and windows is fairly significant, you should consider seeking the services of an auto glass replacement company.
Maintaining your car’s interior components will also take a bit of work. Start by vacuuming and wiping down the elements of your vehicle interior. The leather seats and other components will need more work in the form of conditioning and buffing. You can also simplify the interior cleaning process by enlisting the aid of professionals.
5. Ensure Your Car Drives Straight
Many signs that your car may not enjoy extended longevity are highly noticeable. Those signs may come in the form of unusual noises and odors, poor performance, and indicators on your dashboard coming to life. Another indicator of potentially serious car trouble is something you may encounter while driving. The symptom in question is difficulty driving straight.
Vehicles may not move straight due to hitting potholes and putting excessive pressure on your brakes. Accumulated damage to certain components of your vehicles can also cause issues. Those components include your tires and suspension.
What can you do to address the aforementioned issues? Paying for auto alignment is a solution you must consider. Auto alignment adjusts various elements of your car so it can move as intended. It focuses on your vehicle’s suspension.
Mechanics will work on your suspension and other connected elements so they can work in unison again. They will reposition the axles to ensure your tires are properly aligned. In some cases, the mechanics will focus only on the front axle, but some repairs may require more comprehensive repairs.
An auto alignment is also helpful because it allows mechanics to examine your suspension more closely. They can check if your suspension is still in good condition or if parts need replacing. That early check-up can save your vehicle from more significant damage.
6. Tow if Damage Is Excessive
An accident doesn’t have to spell the end for your vehicle. Maintaining extended longevity for your car remains a possibility, even if it has already sustained significant damage. You need to work with a car towing service to get out of that hairy situation.
How does a towing service protect your car from further damage? First off, towing can prevent things from getting worse. Components of your vehicle, such as its engine, tires, and brakes, may already be in rough shape following the accident. Using them any further may only lead to more problems, so entrusting them to a towing company would be best.
Note that not all forms of vehicle damage are easy to spot. Extreme weather can also render your engine unable to function normally without you noticing any issues beforehand. Pushing your engine to continue working under those conditions is unwise. You need to request towing to keep your vehicle safe from additional damage.
Towing is a service you can coordinate with your insurer if roadside assistance is included in your plan. You will have to pay for a towing service out of pocket without roadside assistance. Whether you’re requesting towing service from an insurer or paying it for yourself, there are some things you should check. Ideally, you should call a reputable towing service with a rollback truck to keep your car safe.
7. Store Your Vehicle Properly
Home contractors can also play a big role in promoting extended longevity for your car. The contractors won’t be working on your car directly. You should seek out home contractors because they can build a garage suitable for your vehicle.
Although driveway parking is more convenient, it exposes your vehicle to the elements too much to be considered good for maximizing longevity. Even a car cover may not provide sufficient protection against the elements. Roadside parking also exposes your vehicle to risks such as vandalism and accidental damage. Insurance may cover those types of damage, but avoiding them would still be best.
Partnering with experienced home contractors is highly recommended if you’re planning to build a new garage. Experienced home contractors already know how to construct a garage that can comfortably accommodate your vehicle. Drawing up those plans by yourself won’t be necessary. You can lean on their experience and expect stellar results.
Features that promote temperature regulation should be in your garage. Examples of those features include insulation and a sturdy garage door. Tight seals should also be installed over all openings. Aside from regulating temperature, the seals also prevent moisture from damaging your car.
A good garage should also be spacious. You must avoid building a garage that’s barely big enough for your vehicle unless you want to deal with scratches and scrapes constantly. Invest a little more in your garage space to ensure you can enter and exit it without any trouble.
8. Develop Better Driving Habits
After driving for years, you already know how to handle your car and keep it safe from unnecessary damage. Now that your child is learning how to drive using your vehicle, the chances of it sustaining lasting damage may suddenly increase again. You don’t want to stop your child from learning how to drive, but there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to keep your vehicle. The solution to that conundrum may involve hiring a professional driving instructor.
Entrust your child’s studies to a professional driving instructor so they can pick up the right habits from the start. Following those lessons, your child will learn how to accelerate and turn without putting too much pressure on the tires. They can also learn about braking practices that protect the brake pads from damage.
The driving lessons can also teach your child how to take good care of your car. They will learn that the specific issues can be symptomatic of bigger problems and draw your attention to them. You can then take the necessary actions to protect your vehicle.
Speed is another factor that can determine if a vehicle has extended longevity. Pushing your vehicle to the limit all the time will naturally cause it to wear down at an accelerated pace. While there are instances when driving fast is necessary, those rarely pop up. Moving at a more relaxed pace can keep your car safe from wear and tear as well as accidental damage.
Extended longevity does not have to be an aspirational goal for your vehicle. Turn it into reality by relying on the services highlighted in this article. You can also visit our website for more tips on maximizing a vehicle’s longevity!
