Owning a car is a large investment; you want to get your money’s worth from it. This means you need to take care of it properly and avoid costly repairs down the road.
You can prioritize regular domestic car repairs Fort Worth TX, changing driving habits, and never ignoring warning signs. Read on to learn how to extend the lifespan of your domestic car with these simple tips.
Change Your Oil
Changing engine oil is a critical maintenance task for every vehicle. It removes contaminants and keeps moving parts lubricated to prevent overheating.
It’s also the best way to nip problems in the bud. Don’t ignore that check engine light or those new noises and rattles. They could mean something is about to snap, like a timing belt or transmission.
Use the proper type of oil. Your car manufacturer spent millions developing its engine, and they chose the recommended oil for a reason. Also, use original equipment or a premium oil filter instead of a budget.
You may think that synthetic oil is the only choice, but it’s not always necessary. Check your owner’s manual or inside the oil cap for the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Change Your Tires
A major component of a car’s longevity is its tires. You can extend their lifespan by regularly rotating them (usually in conjunction with oil changes) and properly inflating them.
If you’re driving and notice a flat tire, first navigate your vehicle to a safe spot away from traffic. Please put on your hazard lights, set up road flares or reflective traffic triangles, and apply the parking brake to reduce the risk of your car rolling away while working on it.
Inspect your tires routinely for early warning signs like abnormal wear, cracks in the sidewall, and low pressure. Inflating your tires to the correct pressure can increase their lifespan, and be sure to check the pressure of your spare tire as well.
Change Your Brake Pads
Changing your brake pads is a relatively simple task that can help extend the lifespan of your domestic car. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual and have a can of the proper type of brake fluid ready before you start. It is also a good idea to spread a thin coating of anti-seize grease on the brake caliper carrier slides and where the back plates come into contact with the piston(s). This can help prevent squeaking when you use your brakes.
You will also want to replace your brake rotors when you change your pads to avoid uneven or premature wear and to get the best performance from your new pads. Be sure to use a brake fluid flush when you do this.
Change Your Filters
Like any machine, your car must clean itself of debris and toxins. That’s why it’s recommended that you change your car’s air and fuel filters regularly.
The cabin air filter ensures that your passengers have clean, fresh air to breathe, while the engine air filter keeps the dirty gunk out of your engine to help with performance and fuel efficiency. A dirty filter can cause ignition problems and lead to poor gas mileage.
Changing the fuel filter is easy enough—you’ll need to open the air filter box and loosen the hose clamps or bolts (or whatever holds it in place) to release the filter. Be sure to compare the new one to the old one to ensure it’s positioned correctly (it usually has an arrow indicating which way fuel flows through it). Close the box, retighten it, or clip it back in place, and you’re good to go!
Change Your Wiper Blades
As they swipe away snow, ice, and dirt from your windshield, your wiper blades are susceptible to cracking and fading. Luckily, they’re pretty easy to replace.
First, pull the wiper arms up to a 90-degree angle, automatically locking them into the service position (no need for a wrench). Next, find the tab at the bottom of each blade suspended in the middle of a long, rectangular hole and slide your arm’s hook over it until you hear a snap sound.
