Posted 2 years ago
A guide to maintaining the performance of your car
If you take extra care of your used vehicle, you'll save tons of money - not just on repairs but on fuel as well! Make sure you keep your engine tuned up. Fuel efficiency can be reduced by up to 30 percent if a spark plug misfires. In other words, you'll have less cash in your wallet. Make sure you follow the service schedule in your owner's manual. Following the manufacturer's recommendations, I recommend replacing all fluids and filters.
I understand that sometimes it won't work with your schedule. It's just a matter of making yourself do it. Getting a second opinion from a reputable car repair shop is good if the dealer's tune-up is extremely expensive. Most of the time, they can perform the same service schedule at more significant savings to you.
Tune-ups will not only keep your car running smoothly but also assist with the purchase of a newer vehicle when the time comes. You can trade your car at a higher price if it runs smoothly.
Make sure your tires have the proper air pressure. Having an underinflated tire wastes fuel. It causes your engine to work harder to push the vehicle. An out-of-line wheel (such as one with uneven tread wear or one that pulls) makes the engine work harder. If you keep those tires inflated, you'll save when filling up.
Take it easy when driving your used car. Make sure you don't accelerate suddenly or do jerky stop-and-go movements. If you're going on an open highway, use the cruise control to maintain a steady speed.
It is advisable to avoid excessive idling. When you're waiting for friends or family, shut the engine off. In the cold winter mornings, you no longer need to warm up your car for half an hour because today's used vehicles "warm up" quickly.
Make sure your air conditioner is in good working order.
You should remove extra items from your vehicle. By reducing weight, one can achieve better mileage. It is better to store luggage in the trunk rather than on the roof to reduce air drag. All these little things add up.
Eliminate unnecessary driving by planning your daily errands. You'll avoid stop-and-go traffic if you travel when traffic is light.
Become a member of a carpool. Whenever you're just going one place and back, at least ask if anyone wants to ride with you.
How you drive your car, how fluids are disposed of, and how old parts get disposed of all impact the environment. It's your baby, so take good care of your used car! Don't be afraid to put in the extra effort; it will reward you with extra miles!