If you’re like most people, you probably spend a lot of time driving and thinking about two things: how long your car is going to last and what it will cost to replace it.

And if you’re not like most people, then maybe you’re one of those weirdos who’s actually looking forward to their next vehicle purchase (in which case I am jealous).

Either way, there are several ways that both frequent drivers and casual commuters can keep their cars in great shape for as long as possible.

While some maintenance methods might seem overly simple or even unnecessary at first glance, taking care of your vehicle on a regular basis can save money down the road by preventing more costly repairs from ever happening in the first place. Here are 10 tips:

Top 5 Car Maintenance Tips Everyone Should Know

Takeaways
Regular car maintenance is essential for maintaining your vehicle’s value and longevity.
Winter driving conditions can be tough on your car, making regular maintenance even more important.
Performing preventative maintenance tasks, such as regular oil changes and filter replacements, can save you money in the long run.
Maintaining your car’s battery can help prevent breakdowns, and replacing it every few years is essential.
To score a great deal on your next car purchase, research the car’s value, negotiate with the dealer, and consider financing options.

1. Keep Up With Routine Maintenance and Biannual Inspections

While it’s important to keep up with regular maintenance and biannual inspections, it’s also essential to find a mechanic you trust.

You should feel comfortable around the person who works on your car—whether that means he or she is a friend, or someone else you know through word-of-mouth referrals from friends.

When choosing a mechanic, make sure they are certified by an organization like ASE and have experience working on older cars like yours. Check their reviews online (on sites like Yelp) as well as their credentials (they should be listed somewhere on their website).

Winter driving conditions can be tough on your car and increase the need for maintenance. With our guide on the top 15 car maintenance tips for winter driving, you can help your vehicle stay safe and perform well, even in the harshest winter weather.

2. Change Your Oil Regularly

One of the most important parts of regular car maintenance is changing your oil. Oil lubricates and cools down your engine, making sure it runs smoothly.

It also helps protect your engine from corrosion, which can cause major problems if it gets to be too severe. Oil filters help filter out impurities in the oil that could damage your engine’s components over time, so they need to be changed regularly as well!

3. Filter and Flush Your Fluids

The fluids in your car are the lifeblood of its engine, so it’s important to keep them clean and flowing freely.

Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will tell you which fluids should be checked and changed, how often (usually every 5-10k miles), and how.

There are three major types of automotive fluids: engine oil, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. You can usually check their levels by checking the dipstick or inspecting the reservoir cap when you do a routine oil change.

All of these should have adequate clearances between minimum and maximum lines, but if they’re low or low on either side of those lines then it’s time for a refill.

If any of these levels get too low over time then damage can occur to internal engine parts leading up to costly repairs down the road! To avoid this scenario make sure all three are checked every time before hitting up Jiffy Lube for an oil change appointment!

Regular maintenance can help keep your vehicle running smoothly and save you money in the long run. Check out our guide on the top 10 car maintenance tips for keeping your vehicle running smoothly to learn essential ways to maintain your vehicle and avoid costly repairs.

4. Protect Your Vehicle From Rust

Wax your vehicle. Waxing is one of the most effective ways to protect your car from rust, according to AutoMD.com. It keeps moisture out and helps seal in any existing wax that’s already been applied to your paint job, making it more difficult for rust to form on the body of your vehicle.

Use a rustproofing spray or contact spray-on wax. These products contain chemicals that prevent water from corroding metal parts within the engine compartment, including bolts, screws and other fasteners—which can lead directly or indirectly to internal rust formation over time if left untreated by these protective sprays (and potentially even more expensive repairs later).

This will also help keep corrosion at bay when it comes time for washing and drying off after rainstorms as well as after snowfall when there may be salt residue left behind from road salting operations throughout winter months; both scenarios pose significant risks due their acidic nature coupled with high temperatures which accelerate their damaging effects such as corroding painted surfaces on vehicles parked outdoors during warmer months.

5. Invest in Great Windshield Wipers

Wipers are another part of your car that can wear out and need replacing. If you have been driving with a cracked or torn wiper, it’s time to replace them.

Not only do they make the difference between seeing clearly and not being able to see at all, but maintaining them is also critical for keeping your car’s value high.

There are two types of windshield wipers: regular blades and rubber blades. Regular blades are the traditional style of wiper that has rubber squeegees fitted on both sides with some sort of linkage connecting them together so they move in sync across the windshield surface when activated by an electric motor or hand crank (or both).

Rubber blades have several advantages over regular ones: they’re quieter; they last longer; they clean better; they don’t leave streaks on glass surfaces like some basic plastic ones do; there aren’t any moving parts to fail and cause damage if something goes wrong while cleaning off ice/snow/rainwater etc…

Vehicle Maintenance: Upgrading Your Windshield Wipers

Investing in high-quality windshield wipers can help keep you safe while driving in inclement weather. Here are some top-rated windshield wipers to consider for your vehicle.

Brand	Model	Price
Bosch	ICON	$19.71
Rain-X	Latitude	$19.98
Trico	NeoForm	$19.49
Michelin	Stealth Ultra	$16.12
Valeo	900 Series	$15.48

These top-rated windshield wipers offer features such as advanced rubber formulas, aerodynamic designs, and multiple pressure points to ensure a clean and streak-free windshield. Upgrading your wipers can improve your visibility while driving in rain, snow, and sleet, helping to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.

6. Rotate Your Tires (Maybe)

Tires are the only parts of your car that come in direct contact with the road, so it’s important to keep tabs on their condition. When you rotate your tires, you’re moving them around to prevent uneven wear and tear,which can cause damage and reduce tire life.

Some people do this every 6,000 miles or so; others do it every 10,000 miles. The exact rotation schedule depends on what type of driving you do and whether or not you drive in an area prone to winter weather (ice) or summer heat (vibrations).

If you’ve never done this before, we highly recommend asking someone at a local auto shop how much they would charge for one tire rotation; this will give you a good idea of how much time it takes to complete the process and give them a chance to explain any potential issues related center alignment calibration issues that may arise from improper rotations over time (like tracking problems).

Once they’ve answered all your questions satisfactorily,and provided whatever documentation/contracts necessary,we recommend proceeding with caution!

Keeping your car properly maintained is crucial for long-term ownership and value retention. Our guide on the essential car maintenance checklist for long-term ownership provides a comprehensive checklist of tasks to complete at regular intervals to help ensure your vehicle remains in top condition.

7. Check the Brakes

As you drive, the electronics in your car control the brakes and the pressure they exert on the brake pads.

Over time, these brakes can wear down and become less effective, which leads to a decrease in stopping power.

You may also see some warning signs that there are issues with your vehicle’s braking system before it becomes an emergency situation:

The pedal will start feeling soft or spongy (like when you press down on a sponge). This means that there is too much air in your brake fluid lines and/or master cylinder; it’s time for a flush!

If you start getting more frequent brake pad replacements than usual, it could mean that they’re being worn down faster than they should be due to excessive heat buildup caused by insufficient cooling airflow around them or inadequate oil flow through them (which would cause metal particles from inside them to eat away at their surface).

In this case, replacing just one set of pads isn’t enough,you’ll need to replace both front ones together since this problem tends not only occur but get worse over time until eventually no amount of replacement parts can fix it anymore – not even replacing all four sets simultaneously would work here because each set has different needs so cannot be replaced independently from one another like what happens with most other parts when only one fails first before beginning its degradation process.

Vehicle Maintenance: Checking Your Brakes

Regularly checking your brakes is essential for your safety on the road. Here’s a table to help you understand the different types of brake pads and their pricing.

Type	Price per set	Lifespan	Description
Ceramic	$50-$70	70,000 miles	Durable and quiet with low dust production. Best for daily driving.
Organic	$25-$50	25,000 miles	Made of organic materials and low-cost materials. Suitable for low-performance vehicles.
Semi-Metallic	$35-$60	30,000-50,000 miles	Durable, high performance, and great for towing or hauling heavy loads. Higher noise and dust production.
Low-Metallic	$30-$50	30,000-50,000 miles	Designed for high-speed stopping performance, causing more wear on your rotors. Lower noise and dust production compared to semi-metallic.
Performance	$60-$90	20,000 miles	Made of high-quality materials and designed for high-performance driving, racing, or track use.

Regularly checking your brake pads’ condition and replacing them as needed can help prevent costly damage to your brake system, reduce the risk of accidents, and prolong the lifespan of your brakes.

8. Check Alignment and Suspension

While you may think that you only need to check your alignment and suspension when driving is difficult, it’s more important than that.

The road conditions in your area can affect both these systems, which means regular checks are needed to ensure that they are working properly. Identifying issues early on will make repairs easier and less expensive for you in the long run.

To check alignment, park on flat ground and measure the distance from the tire tread to the center of each wheel hub using a tape measure or metal ruler.

The measurement should be within two inches (five centimeters) of identical for all four wheels – if not, then it could indicate an issue with your alignment or tires themselves.

If this is the case then we recommend having them professionally inspected by an expert mechanic so they can advise on what needs doing next!

Car maintenance can be confusing and overwhelming at times, but it’s essential for keeping your vehicle running smoothly. At Unified Vehicle, we answer common car maintenance questions in our guide on the most common car maintenance questions, answered, to help you navigate this important topic with confidence.

9. Maintain the Exterior and Interior of Your Vehicle

Maintaining your car’s value is important, but so is maintaining its appearance. Washing and waxing it on a regular basis can help keep the paint looking nice, while keeping the interior clean will reduce wear and tear on the upholstery.

Additionally, checking for tire wear at least once per month is critical to preventing blowouts or other problems that might result in an expensive repair bill down the line.

Lights and wiper blades should also be regularly inspected; if they’re not working properly, it could mean that you need new ones as soon as possible,and replacing them may cost more than doing so when they were still functioning properly!

Finally, fluid levels should be checked at least once every three months; otherwise there’s potential for corrosion which can lead to other issues down the line

Vehicle Maintenance: Exterior and Interior Care

Here are some maintenance tasks you can perform to keep your car’s exterior and interior looking its best.

Task	Frequency	Description
Car Wash and Wax	Every 2-4 weeks	Use a high-quality car wash soap and microfiber cloth to clean your car, followed by a wax to protect the paint.
Clean Windshield Wipers	Monthly	Use rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth to clean your wiper blades and help them last longer.
Check Tire Pressure	Monthly	Use a tire pressure gauge to check the air pressure in your tires and refill them as needed.
Vacuum the Interior	Every 2 weeks	Use a vacuum or handheld vacuum to clean the carpet and seats.
Leather Care	Every 3-12 months	Use a leather conditioner like Lexol or Leather Honey to keep leather seats looking soft and supple.
Carpet and Floor Mats	As needed	Remove and clean floor mats, and use a carpet cleaning solution like Bissell or Hoover to clean the carpet.
Window Cleaning	Every 2 months	Use a glass cleaner like Windex to clean the windows, both inside and outside.

Performing these maintenance tasks regularly can help keep your car looking great and extend its longevity.

10. Consider Replacing Important Parts Before They Totally Fail

Be sure to make regular inspections of your vehicle. If you pay attention to the condition of your car, it will tell you when something needs replacing before it totally fails.

For example, if the brake pads are worn down or cracked and you don’t replace them in a timely manner, they may become too thin and ineffective for stopping power.

This can lead to a much more expensive repair down the roadMand now instead of just replacing what was causing issues (the brakes), now you’ll also have to repair damage done by having inadequate brakes for so long!

To avoid costly repairs like this one, make it a point to check all critical parts regularly. You don’t need an expert mechanic because most parts that can fail are easily visible from outside of the vehicle using only simple tools such as flashlights and screwdrivers. For example:

Inspecting tires is easy: just look at them! They should be free from cracks or bulges; have plenty tread left on them; be inflated properly; not have excessive wear patterns caused by improper alignment or bad alignment hardware; not have any unusual bulges under pressure (like those caused by nails which could puncture tube walls) etcetera …

Purchasing a car can be a significant financial investment, and finding a good deal is essential. Our guide on the top 15 ways to score a great deal on your next car purchase offers valuable advice, tips, and strategies to help you save money and get the best possible deal.

Conclusion

Maintaining a vehicle is an investment. You don’t want to be the person who has a $2,000 car that looks like it costs $500 just because you didn’t take care of it!

It might seem like a lot of work at first, but if you follow these tips and stay on top of things like changing your oil every 3,000 miles or so you can save yourself money in the long run.

Plus, when your car is running smoothly and looking good as new, you’ll feel great about driving around town knowing that everyone else is admiring your ride too!

FAQs

What are some essential car maintenance tasks to perform regularly?

Regular vehicle maintenance tasks include checking and changing the oil, checking and changing the air filter, checking the tire pressure, rotating tires, and replacing brake pads.

How often should I have my car serviced?

Most car manufacturers recommend having your car serviced every 12,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. However, the recommended frequency may vary based on your vehicle’s age, make, and model.

How can I maintain my car’s battery?

To maintain your car’s battery, check the terminals for any corrosion and clean them periodically. Make sure to turn off all lights and electronics when you shut off the engine, and replace the battery every 3-5 years.

What should I do if my car breaks down?

If your car breaks down, try to safely move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. Call for roadside assistance or a tow truck, and stay inside your vehicle until help arrives.

How can I improve my car’s fuel efficiency?

Improving your car’s fuel efficiency can involve tasks such as regularly maintaining your vehicle, avoiding aggressive driving, keeping your tires properly inflated, and using cruise control when possible.