Toolbox for Contractors

Curated content compiled for Independent Contractors to help you succeed at work and in life

How to Extend Your Car’s Life

Here are some tips to extend the life of your car. 

 

Cars in general should keep running for around 12 years, or 200,000 miles––but if you take good care of it, 200,000 miles is just breaking it in.

 

Don’t Skip Routine Maintenance 

Car issues are like dental issues. Once a cavity forms, it won’t go away. So driving around hoping the check engine light will magically go off isn’t a good idea. 

 

The easiest way to maintain the health of your car is through routine maintenance. Whether it’s done at auto shops, dealerships, or your own driveway, don’t skip preventative maintenance. This means oil changes, tire rotations, battery checks, and air filter changes, among other things.

 

Car and Driver’s list of easy tips for maintaining your car offers a piece of resounding advice: take good care of your car, and it’ll take good care of you!

 

Tires

Tires are one of those things that are easy to forget… when everything is going well. But tires aren’t something that just come with the car you buy and you can forget about them forever. They need to be filled, rotated, and changed when the tread is wearing thin. (Do you know how to measure tread with Abe Lincoln’s head?) 

 

The first step to tire health is having the right tire for your vehicle and climate. The next step is to keep them properly inflated (which, bonus, also saves on gas mileage!) and getting them rotated every 5,000-8,000 miles so they wear evenly. 

 

While it can cost a small fortune to buy a new set of tires, it’s worth it for your safety to get the best tires you can. Tire retailers often run specials with discounts and/or free tire rotations, and manufacturers will offer rebates, which can get you some money back in the mail. Here are some tips for buying tires

 

Oil

Yes, it’s expensive. Getting your oil changed at a maintenance shop or dealership usually costs between $20-$100 depending on what type of oil you get. If you don’t mind getting a little dirty, oil changes are usually simple enough that you can do them yourself. 

 

Oil changes are non-negotiable. Going too long between oil changes leads to bad news for your engine. Something that can save you money is knowing what kind of oil your car takes (look in the manual) and how many miles it should last. 

 

Know Your Lights

You can get a car health monitor to tell you exactly why the check engine light is on. Just check the list to make sure it is compatible with your car before you buy it. Monitors can range from $25 to over $100, and not every monitor is created equal. Some only read check engine lights, but others can read every light on the dash.

 

The owner’s manual should be a great source of information on mystery dashboard lights as well.

 

Keep a Record

It’s as simple as keeping a pad of paper in the glove compartment. Write down your maintenance appointments, what they did, and the mileage. It’s hard to remember exactly what you’ve changed, cleaned, and replaced and when exactly you did it. A record can increase the resale value of your car as well! 

 

Cars Appreciate Good Drivers

Not crashing into anything isn’t the only way to preserve the lifespan of your car. Bad driving habits slowly wear out your brakes, gears, tires, and other car parts, too. Bad habits are hard to break, but if they’ll keep your car running for longer, it’s definitely worth it to brake earlier, keep your hand off the gearshift, and avoid revving the engine while it’s cold. These little things add up to a healthy car that doesn’t end up in the shop every 5,000 miles.

 

Know Your Fluids

There are six essential vehicle fluids. Can you name them all? How about three? 

 

You probably know the most important: motor oil. This lubricates the engine and keeps it from overheating. Transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid round out the list. All of these fluids should be checked, topped off, or changed a few times a year, which usually happens at your maintenance appointments. So if you’re opting to change your own oil, be sure to check these fluids as well. 

 

YouTube to the Rescue!

Car repairs are expensive. Plus, now that good old-fashioned wires and cables have been replaced by actual computers, it’s kind of hard to fix your own car. However, along with the rise of high-tech cars have come similarly high-tech saviors: YouTube car repair channels. Friendly teachers like ChrisFix will show you how to change a battery, change your oil, and restore headlights

 

Keep in mind that cars are basically the shields of armor we wear when we’re zooming down the interstate, so there are some repairs best left to the pros.