Tips like changing oil regularly (seen above) are essential when learning how to make your vehicle last.
Even though times have changed, sometimes fixing things is better than replace them. Knowing how to make your vehicle last can save you time and money when it matters.
Why it’s Important to Make Your Vehicle Last
Cars used to be a lot harder to fix. In the old days people were real sticklers about taking care of their things. If something got lost or ruined by neglect, tough – they had to do without. Most people couldn’t afford new cars very often, so they had to make them last as long as they could.
It’s a good thing that cars are more reliable these days. They just don’t break down as often. And the good news for us Washington penny pinchers is that a modern car can easily go 200,000 miles/320,000 km with proper care. The engineering and the manufacturing quality is tremendous. The missing ingredient for Tacoma car owners like you is making sure you know the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules so that you know how to make your vehicle last.
Here are 3 Ways for How to Make Your Vehicle Last:
- Every time you go a couple of thousand extra miles between an oil change, you have created an opportunity for sludge to be formed and clog passages. Then some parts don’t get properly lubricated and they start to wear out faster. Skip a cooling system service, and the corrosion inhibitors become depleted, and the radiator starts being damaged – one step closer to a failure. The same thing is true for transmission service, power brakes, fuel system cleaning – really everything on your schedule.
- It is even more important for older vehicles. Those engines and other systems have had more time to get dirty, so they are a bit more stressed. However, it is never too late to get back on track with your maintenance and to hold off further damage.
- And it really does start with the oil change. When you get a full-service oil change they top off all your fluids and check for other items that are on your maintenance schedule. It’s like your safety net. Go in for an oil change on time, and let your service advisor help you keep track of the rest.
Some things are going to wear out along the way, such as alternators, water pumps, etc. But fixing those at Courtesy Auto Service is less expensive than a new car payment. And taking care of problems early means they have less time to mess with other things. It is like having high cholesterol – you don’t want to wait for a heart attack before you address it.
Find more information on how to make your vehicle last and on maintenance service here.