Whether your vehicle lasts 120,00 miles or keeps on trucking past 250,000 largely depends on how it is driven and cared for. Although makes and models have a bearing on vehicle lifespan, there are many things car owners can do to ensure lasting car health. Here are some helpful auto repair and maintenance tips from your experts at Master Muffler.
1. Protect Your Car From the Elements
Keeping your car shielded from snow, hail, heat and cold whenever possible is a recommended practice. During the hot summer months, consider using a car windshield screen to reduce the internal temperature of your vehicle and help preserve the interior. During the frigid winter months, keep your car out of the cold whenever possible. Low temperatures can affect your battery and other parts of the car.
2. Maintain Proper Tire Inflation
It is recommended that you check your tire pressure regularly; at least once a month. Low pressure causes the tires to flatten, creating more surface area on the road. This can lead to overheating and ultimately, a blowout. Maintaining proper tire inflation also helps to ensure optimal handling and fuel efficiency. Staying on top of those air levels is certainly worth the effort.
3. Take Your Car in for a Quarterly Checkup
Routine maintenance checkups are always a good idea. This will give you peace of mind while you’re on the road, providing assurance that your oil is fresh, your filters are clean and your brakes are in good, working order. Also, if there is an issue, it can be diagnosed and addressed before it’s too late.
4. Tune-Up
Tune-ups are an important preventative measure performed on a vehicle to ensure it continues to perform well. At Master Muffler, we provide comprehensive tune-up services that include the following depending on the vehicle:
- Change the Spark Plugs
- Change the Fuel Filter
- Replace the Distributor Cap (if needed)
- Check spark plug wires (replace if needed)
- Check the belts (replace if needed)
- Check the battery
- Check oxygen sensors (replace if needed)
- Replace the air filter (if needed)
- Replace the PCV valve (if needed)
- Change the distributor rotor (older model vehicles)
- Check the Coil or Coil packs (replace if needed)
If you need a quick tune-up, contact us or bring your car to the nearest Master Muffler location. We’d love to help you out.
5. Keep Your Engine Clean
As time passes, your engine block accumulates dust and debris. This can cause the system to run a bit hotter, putting undue strain on your engine. Every so often, give you engine a quick wipe down and while you’re at it, do the same for your battery. Keeping these important car components free of gunk can help your vehicle run more smoothly.
6. Use Your Parking Brake
A common misconception is that your parking or emergency brake is only there for emergencies. While they are intended for emergency use, they are also meant to be used each time you park. Every time you put your car in park, it puts a load on your transmission whether you are on an incline or not. Activating the parking brake before you exit your vehicle is always a good practice.
7. Let the Engine Warm-Up
When you start your car, particularly in cold weather, give the engine a second to warm up before changing gears or touching the gas pedal. Revving a cold engine or driving off right out of the gate can cause your engine to work before it is properly lubricated with oil. Idling for just a minute or two can make a big difference over time.
8. Drive With Care
Lastly, it is important to treat your vehicle well. Poor practices such as punching the gas or prematurely shifting to park can damage your engine and transmission, reducing the life of your car. Take it from your Master Muffler Utah auto repair experts, conscious driving can prevent a lot of problems in the future.
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