With prices for used cars skyrocketing this year, many of us are keeping our older cars instead of upgrading. Maybe you’ve had your car for years, and you had planned to get a newer vehicle this year, but the prices deterred you. Maybe your son or daughter just passed the driving test, and you bought them a used vehicle so they can get to school, sports, and work on their own. The upkeep on a used car can feel overwhelming and not worth the work, but here at Japanese Car Care, with the right knowledge, a used car can serve you well and save you money for years to come.
Keep up with oil changes, and use quality oil. Oil keeps your car running smoothly, but after about 3,000 miles, most oils have circulated your engine enough that they become gritty. The oil begins to lose its consistency: gritty oil isn’t going to smooth anything out in your car. A fully synthetic oil will stay oily and provide better protection for longer. You can find fully synthetic oils almost anywhere motor oils are sold, or ask your mechanic when you bring your car in for an oil change. Using a quality brand of fully synthetic oil will keep your engine running smoothly for longer, and give you a little more time in between oil changes.
Pro tip: If you’re changing your own oil, use that as an opportunity to top off the other liquids in your engine! Windshield wiper, transmission, power steering and brake fluid, and coolant. Making this part of your routine means you won’t have to remember to check them individually at a later date, and it can prevent some serious damage to your engine down the road.
Pay attention to the warning signs. Most of the time when something goes wrong in your car, it starts small. Most parts don’t break all at once. Keep an eye on the small changes you notice. It could be a little extra vibration when you’re idling, or the heat doesn’t come on as fast as it used to on a cold morning commute. Maybe the check engine light comes on, even though nothing seems wrong. These first symptoms are a good time to take notes, and give your mechanic a call! If you’re able to provide a good description of what you noticed, your mechanic will probably be able to tell you if it’s important to bring your car in right away or not. What might start as a cold morning commute when your heat doesn’t seem to be working correctly could actually be an indication that your coolant is running low. If you don’t pay attention to that first symptom, the car could completely run out of coolant. You may not recognize that until your car is overheating on a short trip to the grocery store. Coolant is easy to refill, but if it’s ignored, it could do some serious damage to your engine.
Pro tip: Have a friend or a spouse drive your car from time to time. It sounds like a strange idea, but sometimes changes come on so gradually that they’re hard to catch. If you have a close friend or a spouse who drives your car once every 2-3 months, they can point out the problems that have crept up so slowly, you never noticed.
Keep a car maintenance log. Keeping a record of the maintenance on your vehicle is a great way to know if your old car is saving you money, or costing you extra. As time goes on, you may notice you’re taking your car in for work more and more often; an indication that it’s time for some major work, or to sell the old car and get an upgrade. Or if your car is getting older and you’re worried about keeping it around or giving it to your kids, you can check back on your log and see how well it’s held up until now. Either way, knowing the history of your car and having it all in one place can give you peace of mind about your next decision!
Pro tip: If you have an account with your mechanic, they most likely have a history of all the work they’ve performed on your car. There’s always the possibility that you’ll need to recall some work done while you were traveling or anything you did yourself at home, but calling your mechanic is a great place to begin.
Bonus tip: Keeping a maintenance log can help you sell your car at a better price! It builds trust between buyer and seller if you can provide your detailed maintenance log, and a mechanic’s work history on your car to back it up.
Jap Car Care is happy to bring you these summer car tips. We want to ensure you’re able to get the most bang for your buck out of the car you already own. Don’t forget to schedule your car maintenance now. Call the experts at Jap Care Car at 305-262-0002 today to ensure you are safe and ready to get the most out of the car you already know and love.
