5 Car Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Used Car in Top Condition

Looking to get the most value from your used car purchase? Proper care will extend your car’s life. The right car maintenance will keep your vehicle running in tip-top condition for years to come.

5 Car Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Used Car in Top Condition

1. Change Your Oil 

Changing your oil regularly is one of the most important ways to maintain your vehicle over time. Without timely oil changes, sludge will build up in your engine. Don’t push off your oil change until you see the light pop up on your dashboard. Instead, check your owner’s manual and see the recommended timeline for oil changes.

2. Change Your Air Filter, Too

When you get your oil changed, you’ll have the option of changing your air filter. This isn’t just an add-on for dealers to make a quick buck. A properly functioning air filter protects your vehicle by stopping many of the dirt particles that could otherwise enter and damage the engine. 

3. Visit the Car Wash 

Going to the car wash is about more than how your car looks. Your vehicle regularly encounters dust and debris, which can erode the paint. Over time, erosion can damage the metal body beneath the paint and lead to rust. A few washes a month nip this potential problem in the bud.

4. Drive Regularly and Reasonably

Cars are meant to be driven, not to sit in the garage. When you let a vehicle go idle for long periods of time, your battery will slowly die and engine fluids will break down. Start your car at least once every few weeks. Just as importantly, drive your used car carefully: that means no slamming down on the brakes, turning like you’re on a racetrack, or accelerating too fast before your engine has a chance to warm up.

5. Take Care of Problems Right Away

Say you’re on your daily commute and you notice a strange sound when you use the brakes. You promise that you’ll take your car in right after work, but you get used to the sound and forget about it. Suddenly, your car brakes stop working altogether! You realize that the problem wasn’t “sudden” at all. You’ve been driving around with that weird sound for two weeks. Take care of issues right away before little problems turn into dangerous and costly situations.

You can get value from any used vehicle, so long as you take care of it properly. Now it’s time to begin the search! Stop by our dealership to check out our inventory. Or contact us at Lee’s Auto Sales of Fayetteville for more information on our vehicles and financing options.

Tags: Car Maintenance, Car Maintenance Tips
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