Vehicles are now lasting longer than ever before, with the average age of vehicles currently on the road being almost 12 years old. This is higher than it has ever been, which is largely due to the fact that modern vehicles are constructed using materials that are significantly more durable than anything from the past.
However, just because vehicles are already beginning to last longer, that does not mean that there aren’t drivers who are still looking for ways to further their vehicle’s lifespan. If you are one of the people who plan to use your vehicle for as long as possible, then you need to know how you can effectively increase your vehicle’s lifespan without spending a lot of effort or money. Luckily, here are a few ways that you are able to accomplish this.
Clean the Engine Yearly
Most people are fully aware that they need to be cleaning both the interior and exterior of the vehicle on a regular basis. However, there is another area that should be washed as well that most people tend to forget about. The vehicle’s engine has a tendency to experience a build-up of dirt and grime, which can begin to cause issues after a while if it is not taken care of.
The safest and most effective way of dealing with this issue is to have the engine professionally steam cleaned. This will help to get rid of any engine dirtiness without jeopardizing any of the delicate parts located next to the engine. In order to make sure that the engine never gets too dirty, this steam cleaning process should be conducted at least once a year.
Avoid Short Drives
When you have to go somewhere that is a few blocks away, it can often be tempting to want to just hop into your vehicle and drive there, especially if the weather is not particularly nice. However, this is not a great idea because short drives can slowly damage a vehicle and limit its lifespan.
It is able to do this because of the strain that it puts on the battery by not allowing it to fully charge, as well as the fact that it doesn’t allow the moisture within the vehicle’s exhaust system to fully evaporate. So you need to make sure that you are limiting the number of short drives that you do.
Follow the Recommended Maintenance Schedule
When a driver gets the proper vehicle maintenance done at the right time, it helps to minimize the chances of something going wrong with their vehicle. Therefore, they should be sticking to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule and not waiting until they see signs that they need an oil change or another type of maintenance.
By doing these things, it will help to ensure that your vehicle lasts as long as possible. To book your vehicle in for some much-needed servicing, make sure to contact us at McKinney Motor Company today.