Westway Ford is a dealership that truly believes regular car maintenance can prolong the life of your vehicle. From routine brake replacement to oil changes and tire rotations, there are many ways to keep your car performing at optimal levels. Outside of these services, there's also a few things you can practice doing on your own that will benefit your car in the long run. Check out a couple tips and tricks we've compiled below that you can follow to extend the lifespan of your car.
Slowly Break-in Your New Car
When you purchase a new vehicle, the first 1,000 miles is considered the break-in period. It's during this time that most long-term damage is done to a car. By taking it easy during this time and driving at lower RPMs, you can help prolong your car's life. You should also shy away from going over 75 mph while on the highway in order to give your engine time to adjust and settle.
Stay Away From Hauling Heavy Loads
If you have a small car, don't try to transport large loads. Without the proper power and torque, towing hefty items can put a lot of stress on the engine and severely affect its lifespan. Making treks up and down steep hills while hauling these items can also significantly damage the engine to no end. Stick to light loads only in order to avoid having to spend excessive money in the long run to replace your engine.
Choose the Right Oil
Most people know their car needs regular oil changes in order to run properly, but many fail to pay attention to the kind of oil they're putting into their car. By reading your owner's manual, you can discover which oil viscosity grades are recommended for your car and others in its class. SAE 5W-30 is primarily used in small cars and it's also a top choice for other vehicles during the winter season. The low-grade viscosity helps cars run smoother when the weather is cold and it can also improve gas mileage.
Change Transmission Fluid
Make sure you flush and change your automatic transmission fluid every 25,000 miles to keep your car running in tip-top shape. For manual transmissions, replace the lubricant following the first 5,000 miles and then every 50,000 miles after that to ensure your car continues to run well past 100,000 miles.
Regularly Check Your Drive Belt
Take a look at your drive belt(s) once a month to make sure it's working effectively. If the belt is too loose, it can wear quickly, and if it is too tight, it can wear out the bearings featured in accessory components. To see if your belt is fitted just right, press down on the middle of the belt's longest run and use a ruler to determine if you can depress the belt ½ to 1 inch. If so, your belt is situated correctly, but if not, you should have it readjusted.
By following these tips, you can extend the life of your car and keep it running for years. If you need one of these services completed on your new or used car, truck or SUV, schedule an appointment with Westway Ford's Service Center and our technicians will make sure your car is handled with care.
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