It's the new year and it's time to make changes for the better. For most of us, our resolutions tend to revolve around living a healthier lifestyle. Maybe you should also think about keeping your car healthier this year—and for many years to come. There are some simple steps that you can take to keep your vehicle in better shape. These tips can help you avoid costly repairs and frustrating breakdowns.
Resolution #1: Regular Maintenance
The easiest way to keep your vehicle in good shape is to keep up with regular preventative maintenance. Oil changes, brake services, general tune-ups and other standard services are designed to keep everything running right. We call it "preventative" maintenance for a reason. It helps prevent problems that can happen if you don't take care of your car, truck or SUV.
Resolution #2: Watch Your Driving Habits
Another way to keep your vehicle healthier is to pay attention to your driving habits and avoid doing things that can cause unnecessary wear and damage. Aggressive acceleration and sloppy shifting can lead to transmission problems. So can towing/carrying heavier loads that your vehicle isn't designed to handle. Stop-and-go traffic, cornering too fast and driving up/down steep grades can also cause automotive issues. Be a smart driver and don't push your vehicle harder than you need to.
Resolution #3: Address Potential Problems as Early as Possible
The more you drive your vehicle, the more you can notice when something isn't right. Perhaps it feels sluggish or there is an unusual smell or sound. Maybe you hear rattling or feel strange vibrations. Of course, warning lights can also come on to let you know when there is a problem (or maybe just a bad sensor). Pay attention and take note of anything that doesn't seem quite right. At the first sign of any potential problems, get your vehicle inspected by a professional automotive technician. Diagnose any issues as early as you can and take care of the recommended repairs. It's almost always better to deal with a problem early. Otherwise, you risk more significant—and expensive—automotive damage if you leave it ignored.
These are a few of the simplest steps to keeping your vehicle healthy. For all your automotive repair, inspection and maintenance needs in Northern Delaware, call Fox Run Auto at (302) 597-9205 or schedule your service appointment online.