Do you own a vehicle? If so, you are probably aware of how difficult it can be to make sure your car, truck, or SUV stays in good condition. If you don't take care of your vehicle, you won't just reduce its lifespan, but you can potentially risk your life as well. So what should you do to make sure your vehicle lasts a lifetime (and so do you)? Here are six things every auto owner should remember.
1. Don't ever drive with a broken or cracked windshield. A chip or dent as small as a pea or kernel of corn can lead to serious and sometimes fatal problems. The problem with dents and cracks is that they can blind you. A streetlight, headlight, sign, or even the sun can shine on your windshield and reflect off of the crack. A moment of temporary blindness is enough to cause an accident or make you veer off the road. If you are dealing with a crack, be sure to take your car in for professional windshield repair in Centennial, CO.
2. Make sure you change your oil regularly and never miss a deadline. Oil is one of the most important things in your vehicle. Without a constant supply of quality oil, your engine will begin to damage itself beyond repair. When you have an oil change coming due, make sure you have it done a few miles early. Doing so can help prolong your vehicle's life tremendously.
3. Keep your tires properly inflated. Over- or under-inflated tires are one of the most dangerous problems you can face on the road. If your tires are not properly inflated, your performance and handling will be greatly compromised. That means slower accelerations, longer braking distances, and more unpredictable handling. All of those add up to the threat of a serious collision or accident. Keep a pressure gauge handy and check all four tires at least once a month (or before any major trip).
4. Keep your car's fluid levels topped off (yes, that includes gas, because running out while on the freeway is hardly safe). The little things do add up when it comes to auto maintenance. Being able to clean your windshield is important, having enough coolant and antifreeze is critical, and making sure your transmission fluid is fresh will help to keep your vehicle running longer and safer.
5. Have your brakes checked regularly. While there are always going to be small mechanical sounds associated with braking (it is a fairly violent and energetic process after all), small squeaks and chirps are different than grinding and whining. If the pedal pressure changes dramatically (becoming too easy or too difficult to depress), you notice a grinding noise, or excessive whining, make sure you get your brakes checked immediately. Not being able to start your car is annoying, but not being able to stop it once it's moving is much, much worse.
6. While it's not a repair or bit of maintenance that can be performed, being conscious of how you drive will have just as much of an impact on your vehicle's longevity and your safety as anything else on this list. Flooring your accelerator and revving your engine to its redline is an easy way to ruin your engine before its time. Flooring the accelerator wastes more fuel than you care to realize and strains every part and system in your car. Want to help your car and your wallet? Drive friendly.
From checking your tire pressure once a month to windshield repair in Centennial, CO, if you take care of your vehicle, you will save money, stay safe, and help your vehicle last longer than you thought possible.
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Six Repairs and Tricks to Keep Your Car Going
1. Don't ever drive with a broken or cracked windshield. A chip or dent as small as a pea or kernel of corn can lead to serious and sometimes fatal problems. The problem with dents and cracks is that they can blind you. A streetlight, headlight, sign, or even the sun can shine on your windshield and reflect off of the crack. A moment of temporary blindness is enough to cause an accident or make you veer off the road. If you are dealing with a crack, be sure to take your car in for professional windshield repair in Centennial, CO.
2. Make sure you change your oil regularly and never miss a deadline. Oil is one of the most important things in your vehicle. Without a constant supply of quality oil, your engine will begin to damage itself beyond repair. When you have an oil change coming due, make sure you have it done a few miles early. Doing so can help prolong your vehicle's life tremendously.
3. Keep your tires properly inflated. Over- or under-inflated tires are one of the most dangerous problems you can face on the road. If your tires are not properly inflated, your performance and handling will be greatly compromised. That means slower accelerations, longer braking distances, and more unpredictable handling. All of those add up to the threat of a serious collision or accident. Keep a pressure gauge handy and check all four tires at least once a month (or before any major trip).
4. Keep your car's fluid levels topped off (yes, that includes gas, because running out while on the freeway is hardly safe). The little things do add up when it comes to auto maintenance. Being able to clean your windshield is important, having enough coolant and antifreeze is critical, and making sure your transmission fluid is fresh will help to keep your vehicle running longer and safer.
5. Have your brakes checked regularly. While there are always going to be small mechanical sounds associated with braking (it is a fairly violent and energetic process after all), small squeaks and chirps are different than grinding and whining. If the pedal pressure changes dramatically (becoming too easy or too difficult to depress), you notice a grinding noise, or excessive whining, make sure you get your brakes checked immediately. Not being able to start your car is annoying, but not being able to stop it once it's moving is much, much worse.
6. While it's not a repair or bit of maintenance that can be performed, being conscious of how you drive will have just as much of an impact on your vehicle's longevity and your safety as anything else on this list. Flooring your accelerator and revving your engine to its redline is an easy way to ruin your engine before its time. Flooring the accelerator wastes more fuel than you care to realize and strains every part and system in your car. Want to help your car and your wallet? Drive friendly.
From checking your tire pressure once a month to windshield repair in Centennial, CO, if you take care of your vehicle, you will save money, stay safe, and help your vehicle last longer than you thought possible.
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