Driving Tips to Make Your Vehicle Last Longer

Useful Driving Habits to Help Your Vehicle Last Longer

A car is more than just a means of transportation. It is an investment you want to last. A vehicle's longevity isn't just dependent on maintenance; it also depends on smart driving habits and proactive care.

Berglund CDJR has put together a guide of useful driving habits that can help you prolong the life of your vehicle. These expert tips cover everything, from minimizing acceleration to using the parking brake correctly. Additionally, we'll discuss driving habits and how to handle common driving scenarios.

Whether you bought a new or used vehicle, you can count on our auto service center. Visit us at our Roanoke, VA, dealership for routine maintenance or a repair service.

The Best Driving Habits to Keep Your Car Running Longer

Besides regular maintenance, your driving habits have a direct impact on the lifespan of your vehicle. In order to maximize fuel efficiency and extend the life of your vehicle, you must consider how you drive under various conditions.

Drive Responsibly

Speeding, hard braking, and sudden acceleration can wear out your vehicle's brakes, tires, and engine. Your car's components will last longer, and you will save fuel if you drive smoothly.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Don't accelerate too quickly. When you push down the gas pedal too hard, you waste fuel and strain your drivetrain. Accelerating rapidly causes your engine and transmission to work harder than necessary, causing increased wear and tear.
• Make a turn while moving. Turn your wheels while the car is moving. You place excessive strain on your power steering system, ball joints, and tie rod ends when you turn the steering wheel while the car is stationary.
• Make sure you stop before you change gears. Changing gears while the vehicle is still rolling strains engine mounts, CV joints, and the transmission. Thus, it is recommended that you stop before completely changing gears.
• Keep speed within reasonable limits. The speed at which you drive affects the health of new and used cars. Faster speeds burn fuel at an alarming rate and put undue stress on the engine, tires, and transmission, resulting in rapid heating.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Your owner's manual provides detailed maintenance instructions. Follow it to ensure you complete oil changes, brake repairs, filter replacements, and tire rotations on time. Keep your car in top condition with regular checkups.

• Check the tires. Maintain proper tire inflation to avoid uneven wear. Also, check the tread depth.
• Replace old filters. Old, clogged filters can cause your engine to work harder and may cause it to overheat or blow a head gasket.
• Check and refill fluids as needed. Low fluid levels can damage your engine. Maintain the correct levels of coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and engine oil.
• Ensure that the lights work. Driving during rainstorms, fog, or at night is dangerous without adequate visibility. Check your headlights, taillights, and turn signals regularly to make sure they aren't dim, burned out, or broken.

Avoid Overloading

Excessive payload or towing can stress your car's engine, suspension, and braking system. The more weight you carry, the harder your engine works, which reduces fuel efficiency. Your brakes are also likely to degrade faster due to increased pressure on the suspension system. Review the vehicle's specifications before packing or loading cargo to ensure optimal performance.

Use Your Parking Brake

When driving up an incline, parking brakes reduce transmission strain. Use the parking brake as necessary to prevent premature wear on the car's drivetrain components.

Clean Your Vehicle Regularly

Regularly cleaning and waxing your car will prevent rust and corrosion, particularly in areas that are exposed to road salt and debris. Also, ensure that your vehicle is filled with gas, the oil is clean, and the undercarriage is protected before you store it.

Minimize Short Trips

If the engine is frequently run at low temperatures, it may damage the oil and other components. Consequently, short-distance driving requires more frequent oil changes. Increasing engine efficiency and reducing wear and tear is possible by combining errands and driving longer in one go than constantly making short trips.

Get Reliable Auto Service in Roanoke, VA, From Berglund CDJR

The Berglund CDJR team in Roanoke, VA, is always ready to help you with expert maintenance and care. Whatever your needs, from routine maintenance to major repairs, we provide exceptional service. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your vehicle is well maintained by scheduling an appointment today.