Preventing Damage to Your Car
You’ve spent a lot of money to acquire your current vehicle and it’s important to keep it in good working order so it’s always there when you need it. That’s why damage prevention strategies are necessary. Your car will last longer and have a higher resale value if you can protect it from damage, and you’ll also be able to save money on maintenance costs when you don’t have to repair extensive damage.
Park With Care
One cause of damage is due to careless parking in places where your car can be hit by bicycles, motorcycles, trash trucks, or other vehicles. The best place to park your car, whenever possible, is in a garage or underneath a carport in a driveway. Street parking leaves your car more vulnerable to theft, vandalism and general damage by other drivers, in addition to weather damage from hail.
If you’re parking in a lot, try to park at the end of the lot, rather than closer to the entrance. The back of the lot will be more sparsely populated, so your car won’t be as likely to get hit by someone taking a corner too fast.
Keep It Clean
Your car is more susceptible to rust and corrosion if you fail to keep it clean. Dirt, mud, road salt and other substances can build up and cause some serious issues. A dirty car is also harder to maintain, since you can’t see if something’s wrong. Wash your car regularly and thoroughly, either with a hose, soap, and sponges at home, or by taking it through a car wash.
Stay On Top of Maintenance
Finally, you can’t neglect vital car maintenance tasks or put them off for too long if you want your car to remain functional. Regular oil changes, tire-pressure checks, belt inspections, brake-pad replacements, general fluid refills and other tasks need to be completed, either at home by you if you’ve got the skills and tools or at a local repair shop.
Even if you maintain your car at home, it’s still good to take it into a service department at least once per year to ensure everything is working well and there aren’t any major problems that need to be addressed.
Maintaining your car is crucial to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to costly repairs down the line and potentially shorten the lifespan of your vehicle. By staying on top of these tasks and addressing any issues in a timely manner, you can save yourself time, money, and headaches in the long run.
If you have questions regarding car maintenance, talk to our experts at Express Auto. We have 5 locations in Western Michigan, and serve the Grand Rapids, MI area.