3 Simple Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Car
Keeping your vehicle in good condition should be a priority. Yes, the maintenance your auto care specialist provides will help, but that does not mean you cannot contribute to the longevity of your car. The following are just 3 ways you can extend the life of your car on your own, without much knowledge of the inner-workings of your vehicle.
1. Proper Warm Up In The Winter
You might have heard of warming up your car, and you might relate this to older vehicles. But this practice is one that you should consider even if your car is a newer vehicle. This practice is important during the winter because some of the fluids in your vehicle tend to thicken after a few hours of inactivity in cooler temperatures. This makes it harder for those fluids to pass through your vehicle's system. This can cause clogs, or it may cause your vehicle to overwork itself.
To warm up your car, just follow the steps below:
- Turn your car on, and let it idle for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Drive your car off slowly for at least a few seconds (your car will continue to warm up as you are taking off).
- Slowly pick up speed, and that is it.
2. Engaging Your Transmission
You may want to consider engaging your transmission before you start driving in the morning. Engaging your transmission helps move some of the transmission gears and properly lubricates them before you start driving. To do this, just follow the next steps:
- Start your car as you normally would.
- Press on your brake.
- Shift your car out of park and into another of the speed without letting go of the brakes.
- Return the shift to park.
- Now you can shift to your desired speed, and take off.
That is how simple it is to engage your transmission.
3. Avoid Short Trips
Short trips make it harder for your alternator to provide the proper charge your car battery needs. This drains your battery, which puts needless stress on some of your vehicle's components, like your starter. A short trip is anything less than 10 kilometers or around 6 miles. So consider letting a few errands pile up before you decide to go out for a drive.
As you can see, taking care of your vehicle does not have to be too hard. Remember that the aforementioned tips are just meant to be preventative measures and do not replace your regular maintenance visits to an auto care specialist such asDean's Automotive Service Center.
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