Keep Your Ride Looking Smooth

How To Keep A 10-Year-Old Car In Top Shape

25 February 2015 by Max Day

If your car is anywhere from ten to fifteen years old and you want to keep driving it for many more years, here are some tips and suggestions that will help you do just that. Many people grow attached to their cars and want to drive them for as long as possible. If you find yourself in this predicament, rest easy, and read on to see what you can do to love your car for as long as you can.

Regular Maintenance

It sounds simple enough, but you may neglect your car maintenance in lieu of other, more pressing needs. That might help your finances in the short term, but in the long term, you will be stuck with a broken-down car and little hope of ever getting it running again. Then you will be faced with the burden of having to purchase another car.

Instead, budget your finances and save a certain amount of money for car maintenance and car repair. Here are the basics of car maintenance:

• Replace timing belts, tires, and fluids on a regular basis. If you're not sure how regularly, ask a trusted mechanic, or read up on the recommendations for your model and make. You may only need to replace the timing belt once every few years, but your tires more often, depending on wear and tear.
• On a yearly schedule, replace brake fluid and clean its bleeding system. Otherwise the system could gather too much moisture and corrode and break down.
• Get your car regularly inspected and lubricated. Make sure you are using the recommended type of oil for your vehicle. This is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a working vehicle. If you don't already know how, learn to check your car's oil and the tire pressure.

Keep it Clean

Keeping your car clean not only makes it look good, but helps it last. Vacuum your car out once a month, if not more frequently. Remember that weather and sun exposure can damage the interior, making leather or plastic seat coverings and the console peel and discolor. Try to park in the shade or use a windshield reflector. 

The outside of your car needs care, too. Wash your car on a weekly to monthly basis, and occasionally seal the clean paint with a fresh coat of wax. Do not neglect the undercarriage of the car, either, where winter salt, dead leaves or needles, and other grime might accumulate. Spray the underside with a strong hose and keep it free of debris.

Let a Professional Fix It

You may think that repairing your automobile is a great way to save money, but if you are not entirely confident that you can do it yourself, leave it in the care of auto body repair professionals. This is especially true if you have been involved in a fender-bender, or other any other type of car accident. Let a professional fix your car, and do not spend time worrying that you may not have done the repairs correctly. 

You will thank yourself in the end if you go to the trouble of keeping up your car and allowing auto mechanics to fix any problems. If you do, you will be able to drive your beloved car for many more years. For more information, contact Auto Body By Duie LLC or a similar company.

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