There are more than 250 million used cars traveling the roads around the United States today. With over 40 million used cars sold every year.
If you’ve recently come into possession of a second-hand vehicle, you may have some questions about maintaining a used car. It’s important to take care of a car properly to keep it in the best working order.
Maintenance is more than just cleaning a car; it’s taking deep dive into the engine to make sure that everything is working properly. Here are our essential car maintenance tips.
1. Check the Engine Fluid
After buying a used car, the first thing that you should do is lift the hood and check out all the various fluids that you’ll find in the engine.
The fluids you’re mainly looking to check are the engine coolant, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, and windscreen cleaner. These fluids all need to be maintained at reasonable levels for the car to run as efficiently as possible.
Most car engine units will have a dipstick built into them for you to check these fluids.
2. Change the Oil and Filter
Changing the oil in your car is something that you’re going to have to do sooner or later. It also needs to be done fairly regularly; at least once a year is ideal.
It’s relatively easy to change the oil in your car, and if you’ve kept the owner’s manual for your vehicle, then it’ll tell you everything you need to know about the oil that you need to use for the change.
You should also make sure to regularly change the motor and air filters on the vehicle. They’re easy to get to and should also be changed once a year.
3. Keep the Tires in Good Condition
When you’re driving along the freeway, the very last thing you want is a blown tire. Make sure to keep on top of the air pressure in the tires and regularly check them for any signs of wear and tear.
If you’re in an area prone to snow, then it could help you to size up your tires during the winter so that they perform better during the winter months. In general, tires fare much better in the winter and become more brittle in warm weather.
Tires and wheels can be a great way to make your used car pop, so if you’re looking for more ways to make your car stand out, then check out these car detailers.
4. Keep Records Up to Date
The last tip on this list is to keep good records. Make a log of the work that has been done to the car and make sure to track the vehicle’s changing condition.
This is great for helping you assess how the value of the car is changing over the years should you ever decide to sell it.
Maintaining a Used Car Could Add Years to its Life
Taking care of a car is an important thing to do, even if the car is brand new. Maintaining a used car is even more important. Your used car could only be a few years away from death, but giving it some TLC and regular care can add years to its road life.
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