Aug. 12, 2022

How to Extend the Life of Your Used Car?

If you recently purchased a used car, not only will it need to withstand the wear-and-tear that you expose it to, but it will also have to cope with the wear-and-tear it endured from the previous owners. It’s for these reasons that many people assume that used cars don’t last as long as brand-new cars. However, with some simple tips and TLC, you can extend the life of your used vehicle and get the most out of it.

Vacations, explorations, hanging out with pals, chauffeuring the children back and forth to activities, errands, work; you rely on your car to get you where it is you need to go – and even when you have no place to go. That said, it stands to reason that you want your car running as long as possible. However, as the old saying goes, "they don’t make things like they used to". That includes cars.

To find out how you can extend the life of your pre-owned vehicle, keep on reading.

Familiarize Yourself with the Manual 

This seems kind of obvious, but it’s important to point out, as a lot of people just don’t bother to ever read their owner’s manuals. The truth is, however, that reading and becoming familiar with the owner's manual is one of the easiest ways to learn about your car and how to properly care for it. The driver’s manual is full of important info that relates to your car’s specific make and model. This includes proper car maintenance over the life of your car.

Check the Manufacturer’s Website

If, after you’ve read the owner’s manual, you have questions about taking care of your vehicle, head on over to the manufacturer’s website. Most automakers have sections on their websites that focus specifically on regular maintenance for all of the different makes and models that they offer. It is here where you should be able to find more detailed info about how you can keep your vehicle and all its moving parts in tip-top condition.

Warm It Up

You know how you need a warm cup of coffee or tea to get you going when you first wake up in the morning? Drinking that fresh cup of warm coffee or tea can be thought of kind of like warming yourself up; your physical and mental self. Well, just like you need a cup of coffee or tea to get you going in the morning, so does your car.

Most people think that warming up their cars is something that only needs to be done on cold mornings. While it’s true that you may need to warm it up longer when it’s cold, in reality, it is a good idea to warm up your vehicle every morning (afternoon, evening, or whenever it is that you take your vehicle out for the first time of the day). 

Doing so will give the engine the time it needs to warm up, and get the oil and other fluids flowing through the engine and all other vital components.

Change the Fluids

Make sure the fluids are changed out frequently. This includes the car's engine oil, transmission fluids, coolant, power steering fluids, brake fluid, etc. All fluids should be checked and changed out on a regular basis. Your owner’s manual should tell you how often you should change out the fluids.

Don’t Ignore the Check Engine Light

A lot of people ignore their check engine lights, allowing them to remain illuminated and never find out the reason the light came on in the first place. This is particularly true if everything seems to be running just fine. 

In reality, however, the check engine light wouldn’t come on unless something was wrong. While there is a chance that it could be nothing more than your gas cap not being secured tightly enough, it could also be related to something more serious. Therefore, make sure you take the check engine light seriously.

Avoid Intense Sun

Whenever possible, avoid parking your car in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Just like the sun’s harsh UV rays can damage your skin, they can also damage the paintwork on your car. If possible, park in a garage, or at the very least, under a tree or in another shady location.

Drive Fast USA in Omaha, Lincoln, Wichita & Kansas City - Buy Here Pay Here - We offer bad-credit Car loans

If you’re located near Omaha, Lincoln, Wichita, and Kansas City and have a weak or nonexistent credit score, you are a likely candidate for no credit car loans. However, lenders will still have minimum eligibility qualifications for bad-credit auto loans.

Are you looking to buy a car? Our stress-free car shopping experience will have you driving home amazed at how fast and easy the process was. Just because we’re a “Buy Here Pay Here” car lot doesn’t mean we don’t have a great selection of pre-owned vehicles to choose from. Our inventory is continuously being updated. That means if we don’t have the perfect vehicle for you, be sure to check back next week or even the next day.

In any case, we’re confident that we’ll have something that will fit your tastes, needs, and budget. We encourage you to browse our inventory online in Omaha, Lincoln, Wichita, or Kansas City to narrow down your preferences to make things even faster when you visit our auto dealership.

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