Resolving to Keep This Car Fit

Last Fall, toward the end of the “Employee Discount” car buying programs, I contemplated trading in my 1999 Dodge Durango. It has been well maintained, is kept very clean, and had only 93,000 miles. I anticipated getting $6,000 to $7,000 for it as a trade-in. I was shocked to find that I would only receive $3,000 for it. I declared that I would rather crush it than give it away for $3,000. So since there is nothing wrong with my truck, I decided to just keep driving it. Because my truck is still in great shape, that was a decision I could easily make.

New Years is traditionally the season for making resolutions to take better care. If you have bought a new vehicle in the past year, one resolution you may have made is that “this time I’m going to take good care of my car.” Let’s discuss what steps you should take to keep such a resolution.

Most important is performing the regularly scheduled maintenance on time. Get the oil changed every 3,000 miles. I don’t advise that because I want to do more oil changes. Most businesses see oil changes as a distraction at best. They are not money-makers. But when 3,000 miles turns into 9,000 miles, your engine has really suffered. Extend that oil change a few too many times and your engine won’t see 100,000 miles.

Have your tires rotated every other oil change on SUV’s, and every third oil change on passenger cars. Have your tires balanced every other rotation. I have almost a fetish about tire balancing. I balance my tires every time they come off any of my three vehicles, and before every long trip. Keep the tire pressure at the top of the rating on the tire to get maximum tire life and better fuel economy.

Faithfully complete the 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 mile services. The exact service recommendations for your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual, or ask your automotive service provider. One of the most important aspects of these services is that they take care of your transmission fluid and engine coolant.

Beyond regular maintenance, the next most important step is taking care of the little odds and ends that break. Hit something with your mirror? Have it fixed. See a drip on the garage floor? Have it looked at. Have these items repaired shortly after something happens. It often becomes more expensive to repair something that has been used for a prolonged time when broken. If you have items repaired immediately, the expense is usually easier to fit into your budget. If you let several items pile up, the repair can become very costly.

Equally important is keeping up the cosmetic appearance of your car. I like to take my vehicles to the car wash every other week. This keeps the paint looking shiny, the tires looking clean and new, and the interior well vacuumed. It is easier to put off buying a new car if your current ride still shines!

Keeping a car in good shape is much like keeping your body in shape. You don’t have to go overboard to stay healthy. But doing a little, more often, is much better than waiting to do a lot all at once. Happy New Year! I wish you well in keeping each of your resolutions.

Brian Klaubert owns Christian Brothers Automotive – Hamilton Mill, on Braselton Hwy in Dacula. They are winners of “Best of Gwinnett” in both the Gwinnett Daily Post and Gwinnett Magazine.