A new car sounds fun, but buying one will cost you. Since May of 2021, new car prices have increased an incredible 13.5%.
Even if you could afford to pay an arm and a leg, new cars lose 20 to 30% of their value the minute you drive them off the lot.
Fortunately, there’s an alternative.
Instead of paying top dollar for a new car, focus on maintaining your vehicle!
Here at DeBroux Automotive, we provide professional auto maintenance for Pensacola car owners every day, so we know what it takes to keep your car running strong.
This blog will share our top auto maintenance tips to get as much mileage as possible out of your current car.
Let’s dive in.
5 Tips to Make Your Car Last Longer
Whether you’re driving a relatively new vehicle or a dinosaur that’s been around for decades, these tips will help it last as long as possible:
1. Invest in regular auto maintenance
Want your car to last as long as possible? Take care of it! Routine auto maintenance allows you to catch problems early and repair them before they cause a significant issue.
Here are a few maintenance tasks we recommend:
- Have your brakes checked and serviced regularly, and replace them before your pads or rotors begin to wear severely.
- Have your tires rotated and aligned every 5,000-7,000 miles.
- Get an oil change every 7,500-10,000 miles, depending on your driving habits.
2. Have lights, gauges, and alerts checked out
You’re driving along one day, and a light pops up on your dashboard. Do you take the car in or just ignore it and keep driving?
If you want your car to last so you can avoid new car prices, take it to a mechanic. Every warning light has a meaning and a purpose, and ignoring them could take years off your car’s lifespan.
3. Check and change your fluids and filters
A car’s engine is filled with moving parts, and it relies on fluids and filters to keep those moving parts functional.
Even if you keep your car on a routine maintenance schedule, we recommend checking your oil and other fluids regularly.
While you’re at it, check and change your car’s various filters, including the engine air filter and in-cabin air filter.
These simple tasks will take just a few minutes but could add years to your car’s lifespan.
4. Become a better driver
The way you drive impacts how long your car will last.
To be as gentle as possible on your car, obey posted speed limits, avoid rapid acceleration and deceleration, avoid sharp cornering and lane changes, and avoid lots of repeated short trips (a mile or less).
These changes are simple, but they can significantly impact how long your car lasts.
5. Reduce exposure to the elements
If possible, park your car in a garage or under a carport.
This protects the car’s exterior from rust, corrosion, and sun damage (especially in hot climates like Pensacola) and shields your car’s mechanical and electronic components from premature wear.
The result is a car that looks new, without the new car prices.
DeBroux Automotive: Helping You Get More Miles From Your Car
Don’t pay new car prices. Instead, maintain the car you have!
If you live in Pensacola or the surrounding areas, DeBroux Automotive is here to provide reliable, professional auto maintenance services you can count on.