No matter what type of car you own, you know just how important it is to keep your car running for as long as possible. Since your car is one of the most expensive things you own, it is crucial that you take care of it so that you don’t have to spend more money on repairs than you need to. 

All cars need maintenance, no matter how old they are or what make or model. If you are clueless as to how to properly take care of your car so that it continues to be reliable for you, here are 3 tips for extending the life of your car. 

Drive It 

Letting a car sit for long periods of time is not good for the life of the vehicle. Make sure you drive your car regularly so that it doesn’t become stagnant and start to collect rust or other issues. Think of it this way – a person who has reached retirement age may not be going to work anymore, but that doesn’t mean they should just sit around and do nothing. 

This can be bad for the health of the human body. Same thing with cars. They need to be driven at least periodically in order to be in the best shape they can be. 

Get Regular Oil Changes

Getting your oil changed regularly is one of the easiest and least expensive things that you can do in order to make sure your car lasts a very long time. Oil changes are a must for not only the health of your engine, but many other parts of your car as well. 

There are many videos online that you can watch if you’d like to learn how to change your oil yourself in order to save a little money, but if you’d rather have a professional do it, that’s fine too. 

Many mechanics offer oil changes, and there are places that also specialize in oil changes that you can take your car to. This will cost under $100 and you’ll need to do it a few times a year depending on how much you drive. Typically they will also check your filters, fluids, wiper blades, tires, and lights as well so that you are always safe on the road. 

Let The Engine Warm Up In Cold Weather

When the weather begins to get colder, it’s super important that you let your engine warm up a little bit. Once you turn it on, sit in it for a little while before driving away. Not only will this give your windshield time to defrost which will be helpful for visibility, but it will also allow time for all the other working parts to warm up which will make your car run more smoothly in the long run. 

Owning a car is fun, exciting, and freeing. Of course, all good things require a little bit of effort, so as long as you put some effort into giving your car what it needs, it will have a very long life.