Tips For Making Your Car Last

Wondering how to extend the life of your car? There are lots of little things you can do that either help or hurt your car in the long run. Wrench is here to give you several tips and tricks for making your car last longer. Buying a car is expensive, so anything you can do to put it off is saving you money. Taking care of your car will also help ensure that you do not accumulate unnecessary repair costs. Here are some of the best tips we can provide to keep your car on the road for years to come.

• Stay up-to-date on your car’s maintenance schedule. Every car has a detailed car maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual, and this is not a scam to get you to spend more money. The manufacturer has very justifiable reasons for creating the maintenance schedule the way they did, and it is in your best interest to follow it. This will tell you how often to get your car serviced, including oil changes, tune-ups, etc., and sticking to the schedule is one of the best things you can do to prolong the life of your car. Taking precautionary measures to avoid larger issues such as a dead battery or faulty brakes is guaranteed to save you money. Schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician today if it is time for your car to be serviced.
• Keep your battery healthy. The average age of a vehicle’s engine is around 14 years, and can be longer when taken care of properly. Cars are meant to be driven, so if your car is going to be sitting for a long period of time, you might consider a trickle charger or battery condition. The alternative to this is to take your car for a thirty minute drive once a week even if you do not have anywhere to go, because this will help keep it healthy. This is especially important during the winter as the cold weather can be harmful to the engine if it is sitting for a while.
• Use your air conditioner. The same thing that is said about your engine applies to the AC in your car as well. Coolant leaks are much more common in cars where the AC is not used, so it is a good idea to run it every once in a while so that you do not run into issues especially as your car gets older.
• Change your filters regularly. Dirt and debris can build up in the air and oil filters over time, which can cause much larger issues that could have been easily avoided. These will get changed whenever you schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician, but it is not something you should overlook.
• Wash your car. This may seem insignificant, but washing your car can actually prolong the life of your car because it prevents rust from accumulating. Washing your car in the winter is especially important due to the salt on the roads, because this can cause corrosion in the metal.
• Use the gas you are supposed to. The car’s owner’s manual should also specify the type of gas that is best suited for your car, and using this type will help maximize fuel efficiency and avoid any interior issues with the fuel system.
• Get your oil changed regularly. If you are going to follow one recommendation on the maintenance schedule, it should be this one. Getting your oil changed regularly is critical to the health of your vehicle because doing so directly impacts the engine’s life. Do not skimp on the type of oil used and remember that the oil filter should always be replaced. At Wrench, we use only synthetic oil and our ASE-certified technicians ensure that the best service is performed. For more information on Wrench oil changes, click here.
• Warm up your car. Letting your car idle for 30-60 seconds is good for the engine and will allow the oil to warm up as well. You can tell that the car is ready to go when the heater starts to blow warm air, but it is still good to take it easy for the first couple of miles.
• Take care of your tires. Monitor the tire pressure, tread wear, and wheel alignment, because all of these can contribute to strain on the vehicle. The Wrench blog has lots of articles about how to tell if it is time for new tires and why it is important to do so, so be sure to check it.

We hope that these tips will help you prolong the life of your car and save you money while doing it. The most important thing to remember is that being proactive about car repair will almost always save you money in the future. Car repair can be overwhelming at times, but Wrench is here to take as much stress out of owning a car. If you have any other questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, at hello@wrench.com, or by phone, at 844-997-3624.