Keeping your vehicle in pristine condition for as long as possible isn’t just important for getting as many miles out of your investment as possible. It also helps preserve its value. If you’ve just purchased a new or certified pre-owned INFINITI, here’s a quick guide to keeping your vehicle in the best shape possible.
The number one tip for improving your vehicle’s longevity is to make sure you follow the maintenance schedule outlined in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If there’s only one thing you take away from this list, let it be that. Regular maintenance like oil and filter changes, wheel alignments, and fluid replacements, can add years to your vehicle’s life. Likewise, neglecting them can do the opposite. Check your owner’s manual for a detailed outline of your vehicle’s maintenance requirements.
The lackadaisical car owner who puts a sticker over pesky warning lights in sitcoms might be funny on television, but in real life, ignoring warning lights can lead to major issues. Get familiar with what each warning light means and whenever one illuminates on your dashboard, you should investigate and make repairs or adjustments as soon as possible.
INFINITI vehicles have some impressive capabilities, as do many of the sports vehicles in our pre-owned inventory. It’s natural to want to test their limits, but regularly driving aggressively can increase the rate of wear and tear on your vehicle. Just because you can zip from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds, doesn’t mean you should. In addition to resisting rapid acceleration, you should also avoid extreme speeds and hard braking.
Even if you’re driving an offroad vehicle, hitting curbs, speed bumps, or potholes at speeds higher than thirty miles per hour can damage your wheels, tires, and your suspension. Pay attention to the road ahead and if you can, navigate around obstacles. If not, make sure to approach them slowly to lessen the impact.
If you find yourself constantly making frequent small trips to run errands, try to combine your tasks into one trip as much as possible. Why? Because every time you start your vehicle, small amounts of fuel and water get mixed into your oil and exhaust system. On longer trips, your vehicle has time to reach optimal operating temperature, at which point it will burn off the excess water and fuel in the system. On short trips, it doesn’t have time to do this and the combination of oil, water, and fuel can turn into a sludge that’s not good for your car.
Most people know to use their parking brake when parked on a steep incline, but engaging your parking brake should be a regular practice. Parking brakes aren’t just a safety precaution. When you use a parking brake, the weight of the vehicle rests on the brake. When you don’t, it rests on the transmission instead, causing unnecessary wear and tear on your transmission.
By adopting these straightforward driving habits, you'll not only prolong your car's lifespan but also enjoy a safer and more pleasant driving experience. In addition to these habits, it's crucial to keep up with regular maintenance, such as routine oil changes, from a reliable auto service center. When it's time for your next maintenance, visit us at Berglund INFINITI of Roanoke.
