Keeping a vehicle looking great and running smoothly may not be very hard if you own a brand new car. However, if you got it as the second owner, you need to make sure it is properly maintained so as to make sure that you can still have it in use in the many years to come.
What will do the trick are the regular scheduled maintenance and lubrication. You must also replace the parts which usually undergo the normal wear-and-tear before they even break. There is really no secret ingredient or magic to making sure that your vehicle is looking good and reliable. It is all about being a responsible owner by being able to constantly cleaning and protecting your used car inside and out.
Here are some helpful hacks to keep your used car in top shape.
1. Always take time to check and change the oil.
One of the most important steps that you can’t miss if you want to make sure that your engine lasts is changing your oil and filter regularly. If you neglect this, your engine will get be destroyed faster than you ever imagined.
2. Take good care of your cooling system.
Because your vehicle is already a used one and you do not know when the coolant hoses were last replaced, it would be better if you have it replaced as early as now. After which, you need to make sure that this is done regularly, and that means at least once a year. Maintain a 50/50 mixture of distilled water with coolant to ensure that your cooling system is always in good shape. This will also protect your coolant because there will be less corrosion and you can prevent deposits from accumulating up inside.
3. Bleed the brakes.
If you purchased a used car, keeping the brake system well-maintained is one of the steps you need to take to make your vehicle live longer. Brake bleeding should not be that difficult provided that you have the right tools and you have a manual to keep you guided. You would know that it is well-maintained if it shows a clear flow which is amber in color. However, if it spurts dark black fluid and you can see that there are tiny bits of rust and rubber, then it calls for a complete overhaul of your brake.
The frequency of changing your brake fluid should be done every two years. A car that is also more than 7 years old may require a replacement of the rubber brake lines.
4. Replace transmission and differential oils.
Changing transmission and differential oils may not be something that has to be done very frequently, however, there is a certain service interval that you need to follow. Make sure that you choose the right gear oil and transmission fluid according to the recommended type and viscosity.
5. Keep your vehicle clean.
This step might sound like it’s very basic but it is one of the most important and most crucial. Keeping your car clean is not only cleaning it from the outside, but also making sure that it is also clean from the inside. There should be a regular and thorough cleaning done so that you can get rid of the things that get stuck to the underside. Also, make sure you wash away road grime and winter salt to protect your car from rust.
6. Grease the ones with moving parts.
You need to keep certain parts of your car lubricated or greased especially the ones that are moving. That’s because these could get destroyed and give up easily if they are poorly lubricated.
7. Apply wax regularly.
Regular application of wax should be done every six months. Aside from making your exterior looking shiny and glossy, it will also protect your paint and keep it good looking.
8. Avoid exposing your car to too much heat.
If you can, make sure that you park your vehicle wherever there is shade so you can also keep your interior well protected. Also, use a car window deflector to keep the heat from coming in during the days when you don’t have a choice but to let it sit under the scorching heat.
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