It's always exciting when you drive away from the used car dealership in a new-to-you car or truck. Even amidst that initial flush of enthusiasm, though, it's important to start thinking critically about how you're going to care for your car.
That's one thing we're always telling people who come to our used car dealership: If you take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you. By attending to some routine maintenance concerns, you can extend the lifespan of your car and make sure that it keeps operating at a peak performance.
As you start thinking about routine vehicle maintenance, here are a few steps we'd recommend. If you have specific questions about any of this, don't hesitate to contact our used car dealership and ask us!
Getting Started with Routine Vehicle Maintenance
- Consult the manual. One of the first things to do when you acquire a vehicle is spend just a few minutes reviewing the owner's manual. Remember, this manual was written by the people who actually designed your automobile, and who know it better than anyone else! The manual will provide you with some good pointers about how to keep the car in top shape, including what kind of oil to use, how often to have the oil changed, etc.
- Check the oil every month. Speaking of oil, it's very easy to use the dipstick to check your oil levels, and we recommend doing so once a month or so. If it gets low, add some new oil, ensuring you use the type of oil recommended in the owner's manual. And if the oil appears dirty or dark, that means you're about due for an oil change. (Your oil should be honey- or amber-colored.)
- Keep an eye on your tire pressure. Something else you should do on a monthly basis is use a pressure gauge to assess the psi in each tire. Again, look to your owner's manual, which will tell you the recommended psi range. Also note that most newer vehicles will have warning lights come on if the tire pressure gets too low. Add enough air to keep the tires properly inflated, which can extend their lifespan and promote a healthier vehicle performance.
- Develop a schedule. There are certain vehicle maintenance tasks you can carry out on your own, but others will require you to visit a trusted service center. You'll want to make sure you are having your oil changed, your tires rotated, your brakes inspected, and your fluid levels checked regularly. Your manual will give you a general idea of how often you need to have these tasks done.
Learn More When You Visit Our Used Car Dealership
Getting a used car or truck can be exciting but remember... you also need to take care of it! Following these steps will point you in the right direction. For additional guidance, reach out to our used car dealership, ProX Motors, at your next convenience. We're always happy to talk about vehicle care!
