How To Make Your Car Last Longer: 11 Useful Tips

Nobody enjoys an unexpected auto repair bill. The good news is, many common car repairs can be avoided by following a preventive maintenance schedule. If you take care of your car now, you can keep it running smoothly for many miles to come. Likewise, you could save yourself a nice chunk of change—and potentially avoidable—expenses, like repair costs and towing bills.

The best way to stay on top of car maintenance is to refer to your owner's manual for specific recommendations on service intervals for your vehicle’s make and model. However, there are some essential tips that all car owners can follow to reduce unnecessary wear and tear and potentially avoid expensive repairs.

1) Schedule Regular Oil Changes

Synthetic oil and other advancements have made it possible for vehicles to go longer than ever between oil changes. In fact, most modern cars can drive anywhere between 7,500 and 10,000 miles before needing new oil. Still, it's important to stay on top of this basic, preventive maintenance task.

Why This Is Important

Your car relies on clean oil to keep its engine's many moving parts properly lubricated. Over time, engine oil loses its viscosity and lubrication, which can cause more harm than good to your engine. Staying on top of oil changes can keep your engine running more smoothly while reducing premature wear and tear.

2) Change Car Filters Regularly

There are two primary filters you should be changing in your car regularly: your oil filter and your air filter. Your car's oil filter and engine air filter typically should not need to be replaced every time you have an oil change. The general rule of thumb for changing filters is about once a year. Recommended mileage varies widely (every 15,000 to 45,000 miles) depending on your car’s make and model, so refer to your owner's manual to be sure.

Why This Is Important

A clean oil filter will be the most effective at removing unwanted debris and particles from the oil that runs through your car's engine. This can protect your engine from damage and keep it running more smoothly.

Likewise, your car's air filter is responsible for removing pollutants and contaminants from the outside air that your engine's combustion system sucks in. A dirty filter can't remove pollutants as effectively, resulting in contamination of your car's combustion system.

3) Take It Easy on the Road

In addition to being proactive about your car's maintenance, the habits you develop behind the wheel can also have a significant impact on the lifespan of your new or used car. To take care of your vehicle and stay safer on the road, try to take it easy whenever possible. This means avoiding any sudden and aggressive braking, acceleration, or maneuvers unless they are absolutely necessary.

Why This Is Important

Heavy braking can cause premature wear to your brake pads and rotors. Additionally, aggressive acceleration (especially from a dead stop) can do a number on your engine. By making an effort to accelerate, brake, and handle your car more gently and carefully, you can take better care of it while potentially improving your gas mileage.

4) Replace Spark Plugs and Leads When Necessary

While today's spark plugs are engineered to last for many miles, they still aren't designed to last for the lifespan of your vehicle. Inspect your spark plugs regularly to ensure that there are no signs of wear or melting. Generally, spark plugs should be replaced approximately every 30,000 miles. However, if your spark plugs have cracked leads or are heavily worn, it's safest to replace them even if you don't experience any warning signs while driving.

Why This Is Important

Your car's spark plugs are responsible for igniting the air and fuel within the engine's combustion chamber. When a spark plug goes bad, your engine may experience misfires, rough idling, or poor performance. Over time, faulty spark plugs can even cause more extensive damage to your engine. It's best to replace your spark plugs before they fail to avoid these issues.

5) Monitor Your Tire Pressure and Tread

All modern cars manufactured after September 1, 2007 are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that will alert you if the air pressure in any of your tires is low. If you get an alert, fill your tire to the proper PSI as soon as possible. You can find your recommended PSI on the label inside your driver's side door. This information may also be in your owner's manual.

Learn more about checking your tire pressure here.

On the topic of tire maintenance, be sure to schedule tire rotations every 5,000 to 8,000 miles and check the wear and tread on your tires as needed.

Why This Is Important

Having too little (or too much) air in your tires can affect your traction and reduce your ability to handle your vehicle safely. Improper air pressure also increases the wear on your tires, putting you at risk of a dangerous tire blowout.

6) Avoid Driving Through Potholes or Rough Patches

While sometimes hitting a pothole or a few bumps in the road may be inevitable, a little extra caution and awareness behind the wheel can help you avoid these nuisances. Keep an eye on the road ahead and steer clear of potholes whenever safely possible. If a particular road on your route is known for bumps and potholes, set aside some extra travel time to detour around the problem area.

Why This Is Important

Hitting potholes or bumps in the road is more than just annoying; these large bumps can cause major damage to your vehicle. These problems can add up big time and give you a flat tire, jostle your muffler loose, or worse.

7) Don't Ignore Your Check Engine Light

There are many reasons your check engine light may illuminate, and the reality is that many of those reasons aren't dire emergencies. Still, you should never ignore a check engine light. This is especially true if you notice any vehicle issues while driving, such as sluggish performance, a slipping transmission, or excessive emissions.

Learn more about how to monitor your check engine light .

Why This Is Important

Even if the cause of your check engine light is a relatively minor issue, leaving it unrepaired could lead to further damage to your engine or other components. Take your car to a trusted automotive mechanic or dealership to determine the exact cause of your check engine light and schedule any necessary repairs as promptly as possible.

8) Keep Your Car Clean

You might not consider regular car washes a vital part of your preventive maintenance, but keeping your car clean can go a long way in extending the life of your vehicle. How often you should wash your car will depend on many factors, including how often you drive it and the road and weather conditions where you live. However, plan to wash your car whenever it's visibly dirty—whether you take it to an automatic car wash or prefer to wash it yourself.

Why This Is Important

Over time, debris like road salt and other grime can build up and damage your car's exterior. You might be more prone to paint peeling or other cosmetic issues, which can be costly to touch up. Road debris can also cause rust and corrosion, leading to more serious problems down the road.

9) Keep Your Tank Above the Empty Line

Driving on a near-empty tank increases your risk of running out of fuel entirely and is potentially damaging to your vehicle. To take better care of your car, try not to let your fuel tank fall below half full—especially during cooler months of the year.

Why This Is Important

Empty parts of your fuel tank allow condensation to build up, which can be dangerous in freezing temperatures. Likewise, empty (or near-empty) fuel tanks are more prone to dirt and debris accumulation, which can cause damage to your fuel pump.

10) Maintain Your Car's Battery

Leaving your car parked for extended periods can cause the battery to drain, especially in cooler weather. If you don't drive your vehicle often, consider using a trickle charger to protect the battery from going dead. You can also make an effort to start and drive your car at least once a week, which will recharge the battery quickly.

Why This Is Important

You won't be able to start your car with a dead battery, and jump-starting a battery can be a pain. By keeping your battery charged, you can prolong its life while avoiding the hassle of a jump start.

11) Utilize Your Parking Brake

Even if your car has an automatic transmission, it's good to engage your parking brake each time you park and shut your vehicle off. This is especially important if you park on any type of incline.

Why This Is Important

Using your parking brake saves wear and tear on your transmission's parking pawl, which can degrade over time. If your parking pawl does fail, having your parking brake engaged can save your car from rolling away!

Stay Prepared With Car Insurance Coverage From Clearcover

A little preventive maintenance can go a long way when it comes to avoiding stressful breakdowns, optimizing the lifespan of your car, and maximizing its resale value. By following the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner's manual, you can keep your vehicle running smoothly and stay safe behind the wheel.

Now that you know how to save on repair bills, see how much you could save on your auto insurance coverage. Get a free, no-obligation quote from Clearcover today to find an affordable policy that’s right for you.