Owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility and ignoring those responsibilities could significantly diminish the lifespan of your vehicle. “Adulting” isn’t easy, which is no secret, but if you want to keep your car or pickup truck for a good while, there are some things you will have to do in order to keep it in top condition. Here are five things you should do if you want to take care of your car like a real adult.
1. Get the right type of auto insurance coverage.
First, you need to ensure that you have good car insurance. Paying that bill every month or every six months isn’t fun, especially when you’d rather go out to eat or buy fun things like video games and home decor, but car insurance is a reality of being an adult. If you are on a strict budget and are trying to find the cheapest auto insurance, try consulting with an independent insurance agency such as the Tulsa Insurance Group who can help you find lower rates.
2. Store your car properly if you don’t plan on using it for a while.
Sometimes, we may not need our cars for a bit, whether it is due to moving, an extended leave from work, or medical reasons. Either way, if you aren’t going to be using your vehicle for a while, you should take a look at vehicle storage options by searching for “car storage near me.” This can protect your automobile from exposure to the elements or pests invading it and give you peace of mind knowing that your car is safe in a climate control storage space instead of in an outdoor storage area.
3. Follow your car’s recommended maintenance schedule.
Your vehicle has a recommended maintenance schedule for a reason, and not following it can cause harm to your car and its engine. According to Advance Auto Parts, your car should be checked every 3,000 miles, 6,000 miles, 9,000 miles, and 12,000 miles for certain issues. For example, every 3,000 miles you need to examine automatic transmission fluid, the battery, power steering fluid, and more. Every 6,000 miles you should check the same things you check at 3,000 miles as well as the wiper blades, chassis lubrication, and more. Every 12,000 miles, take a look at things such as cabin air filter, coolant, and more.
4. Make sure you get routine oil changes at the proper time.
If you neglect getting oil changes for your car, you could end up staring at a high repair bill. Depending on your car and how much you use it, then you need to change the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. Dirty oil can get into your engine and damage its components, according to Meineke. Clean oil also boosts your car’s fuel efficiency and helps increase the life of your vehicle. Keeping the oil changed is a vital part of caring for your car like a real adult.
5. Rotate and replace your tires on time.
You also need to care for your tires by rotating them every 5,000-7,000 miles. Front tires tend to take on more wear and tear than the back tires, so to increase their lifespan, they need to be rotated. An unbalanced tread may lead to a higher risk of an accident, as it could be harder to stop in time. Rotating them is not enough, though. You also need to get tires replaced after a certain amount of time. Complete replacements are needed once the tire tread gets too low for your safety and other drivers’ safety as well, as your tire could have a blowout on the road.