Make Your Vehicle Last Longer With Regular Servicing And Maintenance
Make Your Vehicle Last Longer With Regular Servicing And Maintenance
Posted on January 21, 2022
The current shortage of new vehicles means you’re going to need to maintain your current vehicle just a little bit longer than you may have been planning. Ford has a long term plan to alleviate the microchip shortage in the future, but it may take some time to clear up the backlog of new vehicles already secured by customers and for the one you want to reach the factory and make its way to you!
For some, the current shortage isn’t their motivation, you may simply want to make your investment last longer and retain a strong resale value for as long as possible. Used vehicles currently hold a higher than normal value in the market and those that have been well maintained are fetching the best prices. Regardless of your reason for wanting to make your vehicle last longer and hold its value better, regular servicing and maintenance is the way to achieve it. Here are some simple ways you have improve the longevity of your vehicle
- Regular Walkarounds - Every few months, take a couple of minutes to walk around your vehicle to check for anything that looks out of place. Check for tires wearing unevenly, new dents or scratches or burnt out lights. Pop the hood and make sure everything looks good underneath. Check your hoses and give your brakes a quick once over. If something is wrong, it’s better to catch it early.
- Keep Up With Oil & Air Filter Changes - Oil is the lifeblood of the car. It pumps through your engine and keeps it lubricated and cooled. Your air filter ensures that particles that could be harmful don’t make their way into your engine. Both help you to get better gas mileage and to improve the efficiency of a variety of the systems in your vehicle. Better efficiency means less wear and breakage over time.
- Wash Your Car - This seems redundant but washing your car removes various contaminants that your paint is exposed to. This helps to keep rust at bay both on the exterior and undercarriage of your vehicle. While you’re at it, keep the inside clean and free of anything that can create unwanted smells over time. This will drop your resale value sharply!
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- Maintain Your Fluids - Oil isn’t the only vital fluid in the car engine you need to be mindful of. There’s brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and wiper fluid to name a few. It can be overwhelming. However, the good news is most vehicles have indicator lights to alert you when you need to attend to these. You can also ask your mechanic to take a peek at the fluid levels during your routine oil changes and inspections.
- Inspect and Rotate Your Tires - A car’s wheels and tires are probably the most neglected parts of the whole vehicle. They’re also one of the most essential so, it’s a good idea to take a look at your tires every once in a while. Look for things like low inflation pressure, uneven wear patterns or excessive wear. These can be a signal that it’s time to rotate, align or even change out your tires. You should also take time to keep them at the proper pressure, especially in the winter. The right tire pressure keeps your tires in good shape longer and helps fuel economy as well. Questions about tires, read our post on comparing tires.
- Watch Your Driving Habits - Rapid acceleration, erratic lane changes and hard braking are all very hard on your vehicle systems and components. Opt for smooth acceleration, steady braking and maneuver the vehicle with care. Be sure to let your vehicle warm up for 30-60 second before driving it in cold weather and give it some time to get lubricated once you start driving.
These are just some of the ways you can protect your vehicle so it will last longer. Your automotive technician can help you to maintain your vehicle and look for signs or significant wear or impending issues. Or you can learn how to do some of the basic maintenance on your own. As long as you are checking on these components and tending to regular maintenance protocols, your vehicle will last longer and hold its value over those that are not well taken care of.
Visit our Service Department if you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle. We have the Maritimes largest Service Centre and offer drive up service without an appointment. Come see us today at our Ford Dealership!