5 Tips to Help Your Car Last Longer

With the average price of new cars topping $47,000 and used cars over $28,000, you want your new ride to last as long as possible, so you can get your money’s worth. Here are a few tips to do just that from Herrin-Gear Chevrolet in Jackson, MS.

1. Watch where you park.

Nothing makes a car look older than a worn-out finish. The sun, bad weather, and droppings from animals and plants conspired to damage the exterior paint and affect the surface underneath negatively.

The best thing you can do to make the good looks of your vehicle last longer is to watch where you park it. A covered storage area, such as a garage, is your best option because the walls and roof guard against damaging solar rays and a rough climate. If you must park outside, invest in a car cover that you can get from any auto parts store. When you’re done driving for the day, take the time to put the cover on your vehicle.

When you park away from home, avoid doing so near trees that drop sticky fruit or sap. If you notice any natural materials, such as bird poop, on the exterior, remove them right away.

2. Drive carefully.

Driving easily and smoothly not only helps you avoid accidents but also keeps your components from wearing out more quickly. Making sudden stops, jackrabbit starts, and quick turns can harm your suspension, brakes, tires, and engine with excess stress and friction.

Pay attention to where you’re driving, especially on city streets. Rushing through speed bumps and large potholes can hurt your suspension and tires. If you think someone offends you on the highway, such as by cutting you off, take a deep breath and let it go. If you start reacting aggressively and violently, you may end up in an accident, which could damage your vehicle beyond repair.

3. Take care of the tires.

Don’t wait until a flat to pay attention to your tires. Their constant contact with the road makes them more susceptible to wear than almost any other auto component.

Keep them filled to the right air pressure. If your car does not have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, buy a tire gauge, so that you can check the pressure every time you stop for gas. The correct amount will be listed in your owner’s manual or somewhere on the driver’s side door. If the pressure is low, add more using the air pump at the gas station.

If your treads are looking a little worn, check them by inserting a penny head down into a groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your treads are too shallow to be safe. Replace your tires immediately.

Rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles so that they wear evenly. If your car pulls to the left or right when you want to go straight or if the steering wheel starts to vibrate, your tires need to be aligned at our service center.

4. Check the oil.

Oil lubricates the moving parts of your engine to prevent them from rubbing against each other. It also cleans the engine and prevents overheating. Check the oil level occasionally to ensure that there is enough to keep the engine running well.

Start by looking at the owner’s manual to make sure that you don’t have an electronic oil monitor which avoids manual inspection. If you don’t have the monitor, find out from the same manual where the dipstick is located.

Pull the dipstick out of its compartment and rub the oil at the end with a rag. Then reinsert the dipstick and pull it out one more time to examine the tip. If the oil is below the minimum level, then you will need to add more oil.

5. Don’t forget regular maintenance.

An excellent way to help your car last longer is to take it in for regular maintenance. That inspection schedule was made to handle parts as they wear out and to replace consumables, such as oil, when needed. Your vehicle will be under the care of factory-certified automotive techs who rely on brand-vetted parts to keep your vehicle running like new.

Don’t forget that one maintenance visit on a new Chevrolet is complimentary within the first year.