5 Ways to Prolong Your Car's Lifespan | Scott's Fort Collins Auto

5 Ways to Prolong Your Car’s Lifespan

steps-to-take-if-your-tire-pressure-drops
Steps to Take if Your Tire Pressure Drops 
October 14, 2021
tips-on-how-to-easily-jumpstart-your-car
Tips on How to Easily Jumpstart Your Car 
October 28, 2021
steps-to-take-if-your-tire-pressure-drops
Steps to Take if Your Tire Pressure Drops 
October 14, 2021
tips-on-how-to-easily-jumpstart-your-car
Tips on How to Easily Jumpstart Your Car 
October 28, 2021

Cars don’t last forever, which is why you should take good care of your vehicle. Working to care for your car can help prevent your car needing to spend long periods of time in the shop and hard hits to your wallet. To prolong the lifespan of your car and avoid costly repairs, follow these 5 tips from our professionals at Scott’s Auto. 

5 Ways to Prolong Your Car’s Lifespan

  1. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated: Under-inflated tires put added stress on your car’s engine and lifespan. Make sure you keep an eye on the pressure in all of your tires and add air if needed to avoid long term damage. Keeping up with this will help prevent costly tire replacements, too!
  2. Keep Your Oil Changed: We all know you change your oil at the designated time, but have you ever thought about how often to get it changed? If you’re driving near one of our locations and need an oil change or other car service, let us take a look. With proper oil changes, you can avoid engine problems and costly repairs down the road.
  3. Keep Your Car Clean: This seems like a no brainer, right? Even just wiping down your car once in a while can help protect it from rusting and corrosion. Keeping your car clean is also a great way to prolong the lifespan of your paint job, too!
  4. Properly Storing Your Car: You wouldn’t store food in a hot garage or a cold, dark room. If you’re going away for a few days and planning to store your car, make sure the temperature is moderate and that it isn’t exposed to light. This will prevent damage caused by extreme temperature changes.
  5. Take Your Car to the Shop: If you’re getting a squeaking, rattling or just something that doesn’t sound quite right, bring your car to the shop. A lot of sounds that we think are minor can become serious problems if not taken care of immediately.

The Importance of Tune Ups 

Cars require tune ups to keep them working efficiently. Tune ups ensure that your car is ready for any occasion, like a long road trip or a Monday morning commute. Although you might think that tune ups are unnecessary and they only increase the lifespan of your car, this isn’t the case. Tune ups help your car stay on the road longer because they keep it running smoothly and efficiently.

Typical Car Lifespan

Today, modern passenger cars typically last about 12 years, or around an average of 200,000+ miles. This doesn’t mean that every part in your car will last this long, however. This is why tune ups are important, as well as bringing your car in early if you begin to notice any signs of wear, tear, or other problems.

Common Car Issues

AAA explains the top five car problems to be:

  1. Electrical system issues. Most electrical issues, they explain, are related to ignition systems: the batter, the alternator that charges it, and the starter motor.
  2. Cooling system issues. Leakage from the water pump is common and can lead to coolant puddling on the ground and coolant levels dropping over time.
  3. Engine issues. Internal combustion engines have hundreds of pieces, so there are a lot of pieces that could lead to issues. Common engine problems include issues with the engine hoses, oil or fluid leaks, low oil, and the timing belt.
  4. Fuel issues. The number one issue with fuel is fuel pump repairs. If the fuel pump no longer directs gas properly, the engine will crank normally but not start.
  5. Transmission issues. Problems with automatic transmissions can arise from multiple sources that have similar symptoms. AAA explains to be on the lookout for a change in how gear shifts feel to look for signs of low transmission fluid or the pump failing.

Prolong Your Car’s Lifespan with Scott’s Auto

Scott’s Auto is your trusted source for car repair and maintenance. With locations now in Colorado and Arizona, we’re here for all of your car’s needs. Whether it’s preventative maintenance, or if you are noticing signs of problems, let our team of professionals at any one of our locations help you.

 

X