How many miles would you like to get out of your car? Is 150,000 miles enough, or do you want to be one of those rare people who can get up to 500,000 miles from their vehicle? If you ask the experts at respectable dealers, such as a Kia dealership near Rio Rancho, there’s only one way to achieve this coveted mileage: by actually doing maintenance.
You might be rolling your eyes now, but once you finish reading these three steps suggested by the pros, you’ll definitely be open to changing your mind. Here are the three things you need to do to keep your car in top shape.
Check Your Oil Levels
One of the worst offenses that cause massive reduction in engine performance is friction-heat. Friction generates heat and eats away at your car’s moving parts. Less friction means smoother rides and longer-lasting engine, which will ultimately translate to higher mileage. To minimize friction and its evil by-products, you’ll need a sufficient amount of oil to lubricate all necessary parts.
This is why checking the oil levels is an integral part of basic car maintenance. This won’t take too much of your time and it only involves a few steps. With your car parked on level ground, simply remove the dipstick from the oil tank, wipe it clean, put it back in all the way, and pull it out. You can see the current level of your car’s oil with this simple procedure.
Use the Manufacturer’s Recommended Fuel Octane Rating
Real car enthusiasts know this: higher octane doesn’t necessarily mean more power. Of course, this is the case for certain types of cars: for one, sports cars that run on very high compression ratios actually need high octane fuel to prevent knocking or detonation. However, if your car doesn’t have higher compression engine and you drive mainly to commute or transport people and cargo, stick to regular fuel or whatever the manufacturer recommends in the owner’s manual. Let’s say the manual recommends the use of high octane premium gasoline: don’t waste money on fuel that your car doesn’t really need.
Keep Your Car Looking Fresh
While it’s true that washing your car every so often can dull its paint, it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to keep its luster for years. Detailing your car in a correct and efficient manner is crucial to keep its shine.
One of the very first tips car experts would give you is to wash off bird droppings as soon as you notice any. There are damaging chemical compounds in bird poop that can dull and destroy your car’s paint. Leaving it for too long under the sun can make matters worse. A simple solution of water and soap can take care of this for you, though wax can make removing bird poop a little bit easier. Car waxes and polishes are very sophisticated these days. Using a superior quality product to detail your car can give it better protection and produce great, longer-lasting results.
For routine maintenance, it’s a good idea to visit dealerships as they can conduct a full tune-up and properly maintain your car. Check out Fiesta Kia for more helpful tips on easy maintenance steps for cars.
