Congratulations on your first car. New or used, keep it in the best possible condition so that it gives you a decade or more of service with the fewest repairs and the lowest maintenance costs.
Take excellent care of your vehicle and it will last well past your payoff period and be worth more when you finally sell it and get a new one. Bonus: Should interest rates go down, the vehicle’s higher resale value make allow you to refinance your loan at a lower rate and save money. Tropical Financial Credit Union offers some of the lowest rates in South Florida. To learn more, visit here.
Here’s how to take care of your car or SUV:
- Monitor tire pressure and tread. Hot South Florida roads wear down tires. Proper tire pressure saves you money by making the tires last longer and operate more fuel efficiently. Invest in a pencil pressure gauge ($5-$8 online) and check all the tires, including the spare, monthly and before long trips. Inspect the tread depth and rotate the tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.
- Check and regularly change the oil. The heat plays havoc on engine oil. Keep your engine running smoothly and last longer by checking the oil level monthly. Follow your vehicle manual for oil change intervals, usually 3,000 for older cars and 5,000 for newer ones that use synthetic oil. TIP: If your odometer has multiple trip settings, use one of them to track the number of miles between oil changes.
- Periodically replace the air filters. Road dust, sand, and dirt can clog the main filter, which makes the engine work harder. Replace the filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or as recommended in your manual.
- TIP #1: Don’t forget the air conditioner filter. A clean one helps cool the interior faster.
- TIP #2: Periodically, lift the hood and remove the leaves and sticks that get trapped under the windshield wipers. That will also make the air conditioner more efficient.
- Regularly wash and wax. This is not about impressing your friends about how nice your car or SUV looks. The sun’s intense rays fade the exterior color. Sea air and dirt wear away the paint. Spend a little extra on high-quality wax. (Read online reviews for recommendations.) Save money with a DIY wash and wax using the right sponge and rags. Hand-vacuum the car to keep the carpet looking fresh. You will be proud of your handiwork.
- Pay attention to warning lights. They come on for a reason. Look up the symbol in your manual or online. Even if your car starts and runs fine, there’s a problem that, if not quickly addressed, will become a more expensive repair. Which bring us to Tip #6…
- Find a reliable mechanic. Ask relatives and friends for the names of trustworthy local mechanics. Ask each shop about its hourly labor rate. Choose the one that’s affordable, dependable, nearby and is open at convenient hours. At each oil change, ask the shop to check the coolant, transmission, and windshield washer fluids. Refill or replace when needed. To help protect your investment, consider vehicle protection products like those offered by Tropical Financial Credit Union, you can learn more here.
- Finally, pay attention to unfamiliar sounds. Are your brakes chirping? They’re telling you that it’s time to change them. Do you hear a rattle somewhere at the rear of the car? Have a mechanic check it.
How much might a repair cost? Read this Cars.com article on expenses. Take good care of your car and it will take care of you for many years. Happy driving!