When you own a car -irrespective of the fact that it is a brand-new car or an old model, it should be your topmost priority to look after the same. Still, it is important to know that there is much more consideration and attention when it comes to maintaining a used car than a brand-new one. As the used car had already been used by the previous owner for a while, it is undeniable to accept some wear & tear in the model. If you do not take proper care of the model, it will eventually become a piece of junk in no time.
Maintaining your used or new car not only helps in extending the overall lifespan of the car, but it also reflects the amount of care you put in towards your investment. The maintenance practices of the used model might not differ significantly from the new car maintenance. Still, the overall used car maintenance will depend on its underlying condition. You are not expected to possess mechanical expertise to maintain the used car.
Tips to Maintain Your Used Car
With basic maintenance knowledge and assistance from industry experts like reliable used car dealers in your area, you can keep your vehicle brand-new for a longer period. Some important car maintenance tips are:
Always Maintain Correct Tire Pressure
Ensuring the right tire pressure is significantly important for ensuring impressive gas mileage while getting the most of your tires. Your car is expected to possess a recommended tire pressure value which offers it the best mileage, tire life, and handling for the model. It is specified right on the door of the vehicle. you are expected to follow the specified reading as you are filling up the tires of your used car to the recommended pressure. Tire pressure in cars is measured in PSI or Pounds Per Square Inch.
On newer models, the recommended pressure for tires is usually listed on the sticker inside the door of the driver. If there is no sticker on the door, you can typically find the specs in the manual of the owner. Most passenger cars will recommend 32-35 psi in the tires when they are cold. For most accurate reasons, ensure that your car has been sitting overnight or has been parked at least for some hours.
Low pressure in your used car is one of the primary reasons behind most malfunctions and damages that take place in any vehicle. Therefore, it is recommended to drive your car only when you have checked the tire pressure properly.
Never Leave the Engine On When Idle
Are you in the habit of keeping your engine running or idle whenever you stop at the signals? It is recommended to correct your ways right away. Otherwise, it will ultimately affect the overall fuel efficiency while also affecting the life of the car’s engine as well.
In addition to damaging the fuel efficiency of your used car, some more reasons to stop idling your car are:
- Burns Up Oil: When you leave engine on for a longer time, it will make the motor oil to be circulated as well as burned up throughout. Eventually, it will affect fuel efficiency while costing you more money in oil.
- Decreased Performance: Over time, idling your car can make the spark plugs, head gasket, or cylinder rings to get damaged while eventually not working at all.
- Drained Car Battery: Idling will not allow your battery to get charged while causing it to stain with time.
- Gas Wastage: When you leave your engine running, it will eventually consume gasoline. You will end up wasting around a gallon of gas when you leave your used car’s engine idle for more than one hour.
Also Read: Top ways to be more fuel efficient when driving a used car
Change Engine Oil, Oil Filter, Coolant, and Other Lubricants Regularly
Another important maintenance tip for your used car is changing its engine oil from time to time. If the engine oil is contaminated, the dust and other particles are transmitted to other parts of the vehicle as well. It will ultimately increase the overall wear & tear in the engine and its subsequent parts.
As your used car has consumed several miles already, it is quite natural to heat up quite easily. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a separate coolant in your vehicle.
Clean & Change Air Filters Regularly
After your used car has achieved specific mileage, you will find that air filters of the vehicle start revealing some issues. One of the most common signs is leakage from exhaust. Therefore, you should aim at properly cleaning and changing air filters every now & then.
Check Battery Terminals, Engine Belt, and Spark Plug
When you buy used cars from a reputed dealer like Used Car Dealers Austin, you can expect the best model and vehicle delivery. Still, it is recommended to keep checking for important components like spark plug, engine belt, and battery terminals to ensure optimum performance of your vehicle.
Never Ignore Common Warning Lights
When you wish to ensure that your second-hand car is running as smoothly as possible, you should never ignore common warning lights in your vehicle. These warning lights indicate a specific problem in the engine, time of servicing, refilling the engine, and so more.
Keep Car’s Interiors Clean
One of the most crucial maintenance tips for your used vehicle is that you should clean the interiors of the car without fail from time to time. Whether it is the dashboard, floor, windows, upholstery, or other accessories, make sure that they are stain-free and dust-free all the time.
Take Extra Care of Car’s Floor During the Rainy Season
Wet footwear due to the rainy season can dampen the floor of your used car. Protect the carpet by using top-quality fabric mats or rubber mats over the floor.
Conclusion
If you wish to get high-end used car models, you can reach out to Used Car Dealers Austin as the one-stop used car dealership for all your needs.
