Car Maintenance Tips For Your Older Car

I have an older car. What type of car maintenance tips can you offer to make sure my vehicle stays in top shape? I’m not ready to jump into a new car, so I want to keep my older car in the best shape possible.

We’re hearing a lot of this these days. Instead of replacing a car on schedule every three to four years, people are pushing the window of ownership, and are choosing to keep their older cars an extra year or two. Not only will it save you money on monthly payments, but it also can save you on insurance rates as well.

Keep a car maintenance log
Keep a small spiral notebook and pen in your glove compartment, and keep track of all of your car related maintenance. You may also want to record your gas fill-ups and mileage – a reduction of mileage can be an early warning sign of a future problem. Also use the same service location for all your car maintenance items – they will track your maintenance and be able to monitor potential problems along the way.

Take the time to clean your car thoroughly
Clean your car inside and out. While everyone likes a clean car on the outside, the inside is just as important. Clean off the magnesium chloride from your wheel wells and undercarriage, which Colorado uses to keep the streets ice free in the snowy months.

Fix and fill your washer fluid tank
With Colorado’s variable weather patterns, you may notice a cracked washer fluid tank on an older car. Fix immediately, and keep it filled with plenty of window washer fluid, especially on those cold, slushy days.

Check your tires regularly
Ever find one of your tires missing the tire valve cap? It may cause your tire to leak. Tire valve caps keep out dirt and moisture that can cause leaks over time. Also make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires create excessive heat and stress, and lead to failure in a much shorter period of time that the manufactures expected life. Check your tires periodically for uneven wear and proper tread, and make sure you rotate your tires on a regular schedule.