How to Extend the Life of Your Car

You love your car and you want to have it for as long as possible. With regular work and maintenance and a whole lot of luck you will be able to extend the life of your car. Here’s how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Regularly check and change the oil. This will prolong the life of your car and improve your gas mileage. When you change the oil, change the oil filter as well.

2. Change the air filter. A dirty air filter will decrease your gas mileage and can stall the engine. This is easy to do and doesn’t require any tools.

3. Regularly check the car's fluids: antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid. Ask your local auto parts store personnel whether you're using the correct fluids.

4. Mark your calendar for flushing your fluids and coolant. You should do this every two years.

5. Check your tire pressure. Maintaining the proper PSI on your tires can prolong the life of your tires as well as improve the performance of your car.

6. Drive safely. Don’t peel off from a dead stop. When you turn on your car, slowly take it up to speed. This will save wear on the engine since the oil is still cold when you start your car.

7. Keep your car clean. Washing your vehicle keeps the salt and grime from collecting and causing rust.

Tips & Warnings

• Getting your car serviced regularly is the best thing you can do to prolong the life of your car.
• Synthetic motor oils cost more for a reason: they’re better. They coat and protect more effectively than traditional motor oils.
• If you've never worked on a car before, ask a friend to help you the first time. This will keep you from making potentially costly mistakes.