As the year winds down and we begin reflecting on the past year, it’s a great time to start thinking of some beneficial New Year’s resolutions. Year after year, most of us make resolutions that end by mid-February or by the first thought of how amazing a slice of chocolate cake would taste after dinner. With that being said, let’s start 2021 off by making resolutions that we will actually stick with. As we look to improve our lives and those around us, there is one thing that we often take for granted and may not be thinking about — our vehicle. It is extremely important to keep your car healthy and running at its best to prevent underlying issues and long term repairs. Let’s show our vehicles some love this year by making these 5 simple New Year’s resolutions for your vehicle:
Embrace Change
Change in your life is a sign of growth and it could be extremely refreshing. If they could speak, your tires would agree. Your vehicle’s front tires and back tires experience different types of wear and it is important to have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to avoid any wheel alignment issues and to ensure a longer lifespan for each tire. In addition to having your tires rotated, make sure your tires are properly inflated as your gas mileage will go down and your risk for a flat will go up if they are underinflated. If your tire is overinflated, you run the risk of a dangerous blow-out. A sign that your tire needs to be replaced is if the tread depth is lower than 1/16 inch as they are considered to be “legally” worn out. Use the penny test to check if your tire is properly inflated. Take a penny and insert the top part of Lincoln’s head (head down) into one of the tire treads. If you can see his entire head, it’s time to replace your tire immediately. If only a small part of his head is cut off, consider a replacement soon. If his entire forehead is covered, you’re good to go.
Stay Safe
Preventative car maintenance starts behind the wheel. Bad driving habits may cause your vehicle and its components to wear down more quickly.
-Avoid potholes and go slow over speed bumps
-Let your vehicle warm up on cold days
-Accelerate and brake gently
-Lighten your car’s load by keeping the trunk clear of unnecessary items
-Stop before shifting your car from drive to reverse
-Put your phone DOWN
Get Your Life in Gear
Keep those gears moving. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your car running properly all year. This includes fluid checks and changes, tire rotations, and general inspections. By bringing your car down to Luke’s Auto Service and having our certified technicians regularly maintain your vehicle you can cut down on most expensive car repairs and extend the life of your car. We also send out service reminder postcards to ensure your vehicle is up to date with the maintenance it needs.
Address Problems Early On
Similar to life, it is important to address your vehicle’s problems early on as it will benefit you in the long run. Putting off minor maintenance procedures can lead to larger problems and shorter vehicle life. Much like people, your vehicle has the ability to tell you when something is wrong. Be on the lookout for any signs that your vehicle is experiencing issues by checking your dashboard occasionally to see if any warning lights are illuminated. Resist the temptation to ignore warning lights as they could indicate a serious problem, such as the check engine light, brake light, and temperature light. Also, be sure to listen to the noises your car is making as strange sounds could actually tell you what is wrong with your vehicle. Check out our blog post on Sounds that are Signs Your Car Needs Auto Repair for a few sounds that indicate your car needs maintenance.
Clean Up Your Act
And your ride! Once you’ve kept up with all of the essential maintenance procedures, keeping your car clean is the cherry on top! Start by emptying out the entire car and putting back only things you use regularly, essentially, or that you will use this season. Keeping the interior of your car clean isn’t only about aesthetics, a lighter load means better gas mileage! This includes cleaning out the trunk and glove compartment! (While you’re in the trunk be sure you have your spare tire and it’s in proper condition). Also be sure to wash the exterior of your car on a regular basis to avoid a build-up of dirt, salt, grime, and other things that can eat away at your paint and cause rust and corrosion. With the colder months ahead, regular trips to the car wash are essential to wash off corrosive salt on your vehicle especially the undercarriage and tires where it can corrode important parts.
What Are Your New Year’s Resolutions?
New Year’s resolutions are meant to improve your life. When you take care of your car and drive safely your life is most likely going to improve. You’ll extend the life of your vehicle and steer away from large, long-term issues and hopefully get no tickets since you’ll be a better driver! There’s another goal for this year… no traffic tickets in 2021.
Bring your car down to Luke’s Auto Service in Verona, New Jersey, and our certified technicians will make sure you are on track with all of your vehicle’s New Year’s Resolutions!
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