How Can I Extend the Life of My Junk Car?
Do you have an old clunker that you just can’t bear to part with? Or can’t afford to buy a new car right now? Maybe you just love your 1997 Honda and don’t feel like going through the hassle of haggling with a car salesman. Whatever your reasons, here are some tips to get the most life out of your car that you can.
What General Maintenance Can Help My Car?
The most important thing you can do is to just take care of the car’s basic necessities.
Fluids and filters should be checked every few weeks to ensure they are still running smoothly. If levels get too low or fluids dry up, vital parts of the car could be damaged or break. The fluids to check include brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil, and coolant. Filters include your air filter and oil filter.
Other general maintenance items include getting your oil changed regularly. Older cars are especially vulnerable and should be checked every 3,000 miles. Also check and change your tires as they wear out. You don’t want to leave issues for a later date–make sure to fix things in a timely manner in order to not cause more damage to the car.
Should I Do Different Things in the Summer and Winter?
Extreme weather can wreak havoc on an old vehicle. In order to ensure your geriatric wheels stay in shape, follow these tips.
Winter: it is important to not strain your car engine in the winter.
Short trips to the store in freezing weather can cause steam to build up in the engine, which then freezes and rusts before it can escape. It’s better to let the car warm up and let the fluids unfreeze before heading out. And try to do a few errands in one, rather than just going out for a short trip.
Your engine can also get damaged when you try to get out of snowbanks. Rather than spinning your wheels, trying to get out, keep a bag of cat litter in your trunk to help you out of slippery situations.
Summer: in summer, you want to protect your car from extreme heat.
Cars don’t like extreme weather or sun. It’s important to keep your car parked in a shady spot in the summer to prolong its life.
What Small Things Can I Do To Extend My Car’s Life?
If you’re just looking for simple things you can do to get a little more out of your car, try these tips:
- Wash your car regularly. Dirt in the undercarriage can cause damage to your vehicle, so make sure to clean the car.
- Clean your engine. If you’ve left your car stored in a garage for a while, debris and leaves may be in the engine.
- Keep your cargo light. If you have too much junk in your backseat all the time it may wear on the vehicle, so only keep what you need in the car.
While keeping your beloved junk car alive and running may seem like the best idea, you can now see that it may take a lot of work. If it seems like too much hassle, you can trust Junk Car Traders in Michigan to quickly tow your car from anywhere and give you the best price in cash.
