Tips to Avoid Your Car Breaking Down
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia: the cars on the road today are, on average, the oldest vehicles that have ever been on the road. Given this fact, you need to learn some tips to avoid your car breaking down. Drivers need to have some basic know-how to keep their oldies-but-goodies on the road.
It’s not surprising that today’s drivers are sticking with seasoned vehicles rather than purchasing new ones. We have an economy in flux, an uncertain job market, and historically high levels of consumer debt. So people are hesitant to take on the expense of a new car.
At Fayetteville Towing Service, we understand the practicality of owning an older car. But we also understand that sometimes things go wrong. If you find yourself with a disabled vehicle, call us right away for prompt attention. In the meantime, here are some of our tried-and-true best practices for keeping your older car on the road.
Four Tips to Avoid Your Car Breaking Down
1. Trust the Signs
We mean this. When you see a light on your dashboard, don’t ignore it. It’s there for a reason. All of these lights indicate that something needs attention:
- Check-engine light
- Oil light
- Battery light
- Temperature gauge light
- Any other light that wasn’t on before!
If any of these come on, it’s time to get to a mechanic. Let them find out what is going on under the hood. Often, there may be a simple fix. But if you wait too long, then it may escalate to other problems that are not so quick to repair.
In addition to watching for lights, pay attention to other things in the car. Do you hear any unusual noises? Is your vehicle pulling to one direction? Do the lights seem dim or unsteady? All of these are signs that it’s time to take your car in for a check-up. If you think there is a problem, there probably is. Get it checked out.
2. Use Your Car the Right Way
This suggestion is one of our favorite tips to avoid your car breaking down. Use your vehicle correctly. Drive it safely. Pay attention to your speed so you can avoid unnecessary sudden braking. Avoid slamming doors and buttons and levers.
Cars are like anything else. If you treat them well, they will treat you well. Take it easy so you can have smooth stops and gentle acceleration. Unless you happen to be a New York City cabbie, don’t drive like one.
Stop-and-go driving is terrible for your car. It damages your brakes, tires, and more. You will shorten its lifespan with sporadic driving habits. So when you are in the thick of a traffic nightmare, try going to your happy place so you can chill out and give your car a break.
3. Don’t Miss Your Appointments
Take time for scheduled maintenance for your vehicle. Every manufacturer offers guidelines for service. Following those guidelines will prolong the life of your car. Consistent oil changes, tune-ups, tire rotations, and brake checks help your car enjoy a long time on the road.
We understand how busy you are, and we know it’s easy to forget about car maintenance during the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But skipping appointments for your vehicle is a recipe for a car disaster. You risk being stranded on the side of the road if you ignore routine service for your vehicle.
Take the time to care for your vehicle so that it will give you plenty more years on the road.
4. Watch the Oil Level
One of the most important things you can do for your car is to pay attention to the oil level. Assuming you have been keeping up on maintenance, this is not a problem.
Your vehicle needs fresh oil every 3000 miles. But if you are behind on service, at least check the oil level.
It is easy to grab a quart of motor oil and do a top-off until you can get into the mechanic’s shop.
Fayetteville Towing to the Rescue
Although there are plenty of things that can go wrong with a vehicle, there are also many things you can do to avoid your car breaking down. Pay attention to your regular maintenance schedule and drive carefully to keep your vehicle moving.
And if something goes awry and you need a ride, give us a call at Fayetteville Towing Service. We will be there in a jiffy.