Thanks to the current used car market, your older vehicle is suddenly more valuable than you previously thought. Getting your old vehicle back in shape is well worth the effort. Maybe you want to get it ready to sell.
Maybe you need it to last you a few more years to save up for your next vehicle. Or you just need to get it ready for an upcoming road trip. The last thing you want on a road trip is for your car to break down, although if you need a list of roadside assistance companies, it’s not the end of the world. Read on for tips to get your vehicle working efficiently and safely.
Know Your Car’s History
Knowing how well your car has been taken care of or knowing what stress it’s survived can indicate where to start your tune-up. There are online companies that can provide this information. Otherwise, if you’re the car’s sole owner, try to estimate when you’ve had service and what was done.
If you don’t know the history of your older vehicle, or you do and you know that care has been lacking, it might be worth bringing it to a reliable mechanic to get a major systems inspection. This will give you a baseline to start a better record of care.
A major systems inspection will point out major problem areas and expose the most expensive repairs. Get the small stuff in order once you have the major parts replaced. Fluids and filters are the most routine care but have the biggest long-term impact.
Flush Your Fluids
Flushing your system is a straightforward, quantifiable cost. There aren’t variables to have to factor in here. Call and compare prices. Flushing requires an extra step compared to just draining and refilling, but it removes years of build-up and grit that need to come out.
Coolant, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, motor oil, and power steering fluid are the fluids you need to know. You can flush all these systems yourself, but remember that disposal of all the old fluids can get complicated if done properly. If you don’t have a plan for disposal, it’s better to have it done by a mechanic.
Follow Up With Your Filters
Changing your car’s filters improves performance and efficiency. However, not changing your filters can even cause engine failure.
Your air filter provides the air for your engine, so if your engine can’t breathe properly, you’re going to have problems. If you get your oil changed at a garage, they will usually offer to replace your air filter as well. If you perform your own maintenance, routinely check your air filter and change it when necessary.
Your oil filter is obvious. If you change your oil but not your filter, you’ll be putting clean oil through a dirty filter. If you have the right equipment, changing the oil can be simple to do yourself, but remember, you will need to dispose of used oil.
Fuel filters that get changed regularly prevent more expensive repairs. Dirty fuel speeds up wear and tear on your engine. It can even compromise your fuel injector. Staying on top of your fuel filter protects your fuel line.
Keep Car Service Records
In the long run, the key is to start somewhere and then keep good records. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance recommendations at specific mileage points. Then, create a care log to record services done, dates and costs. Good records are helpful when you need to sit down and compare costs and care for a new vehicle.
Keep your car services. Learn how to check your car insurance claim history. Change the oil, top off fluids, and make a note of any leaks. Even though it might seem like a hassle, it’s worth carving out the time to perform the minor maintenance because it will help your transmission and other systems last longer and perform better.
Maria Hanson writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com. She is passionate about helping people find their best auto insurance options and keeping their vehicles road-ready.
