Taking care of your vehicle is the single-most important thing you can do to ensure that it stays reliably running for a very long time. Many first-time car buyers mistakenly believe that the biggest investment in a vehicle is what they put as a down payment, and then the payments they make each month for several years. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The biggest investment into a vehicle is what you will spend to keep it running. Many regular services are required for a vehicle to run efficiently and accurately: oil changes, tire rotations and alignments, fuel and oil filter cleanings and replacements, etc. Scrimp on a few dollars here and there by skipping these services, and in the long-run you’ll wind up paying more in repair and replacement costs. Regular car care in Raleigh NC will keep your car in tip-top shape, and your wallet full of your hard-earned money.

First, make sure you never let your fuel tank get below one quarters of the way full. The less gas that’s in your tank, the more likely it is that the fuel lines may become clogged with debris and impurities that collect at the bottom of the tank. And, on a practical standpoint, who wants to risk running out of gas if they get lost or are stuck in traffic?

Second, make oil changes into a religion: do them faithfully every 3,000 to 6,000 miles, depending on your vehicle, how you use it, and what the manufacturer suggests (check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended oil change schedule). Choose high grade oils, and use 5W and 10W accordingly (10W is better for hot climates, 5W for cold).

Third, you know those boring maintenance appointments that cost a couple of hundred bucks? Schedule them, and make sure you get your car to them. During these appointments not only will basic preventative services be administered, but your mechanic will go over your car to look for any potential problems that can be easily and cheaply nipped in the bud now.

Finally, if your car suddenly starts acting or sounding different, or a check engine light comes on, get things checked out ASAP. Vehicle problems tend to get worse, not better, and the longer you wait, the more damage — and higher repair cost — you’ll incur.