Cars for Beginners: How to Take Care of Your Car

Shoppers in the United States paid an average final transaction price of $47,077 for a new car in December 2021. That’s an increase of over $6,000 from the previous year! Experts say that spike is due to low supply, high demand, and fewer affordable sedans.

So, if you bought a new ride yourself, you certainly want to know how to make it last for 100,000, even 200,000 miles. Luckily for you, that’s what this car care guide covers.

Keep reading to discover the top tips for maintaining cars for beginners.

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

Tires can lose 1 to 2 pounds per square inch (psi) for every 10-degree drop in temperatures. Let them lose too much pressure, and they can wear faster, have less traction, and become unstable.

That can lead to longer braking distances, as less grip means you’d have to step on the brake pedal earlier. That can be especially dangerous if you need to avoid an accident.

What’s more, underinflated tires guzzle more fuel, making you spend even more on gassing up.

With that said, one of the easiest yet essential car care tips to abide by is to do regular tire pressure checks. Measure it when the tires are cold, as warm rubber registers a higher psi. It should meet the air pressure recommendation specified in your owner’s manual.

Park It Inside

Thieves stole more than 800,000 motor vehicles in the US in 2020 alone. That’s enough reason to park it in your garage; otherwise, you may end up having no car to maintain at all.

Besides, parking your ride inside helps protect it from extreme heat and cold. It can also reduce the odds of your car sustaining cosmetic damage due to external elements.

Consider a car storage unit if you don’t have a garage at home. Here’s a guide where you can read about the benefits of investing in one, aside from security.

Change Your Engine Oil

Also known as motor oil, engine oil lubricates your engine’s metal components. That keeps them from grinding against each other and developing early wear and tear. If not for this lubricant, those metal parts can break or crack, and ultimately, your engine can die.

Moreover, motor oil helps cool the engine and keep it clean by removing by-products of burned fuel.

With all those integral roles, it’s imperative to have clean engine oil at all times. That’s why you’d want to change your oil after about 7,500 to 10,000 miles, the new recommendations for modern cars. For a more accurate timeline, check your trusty owner’s manual.

Replace Engine Air and Oil Filters

Your engine air filter catches and traps air particles, such as dirt, debris, and bugs. It does so before air from outside your vehicle can flow into the engine.

By contrast, an oil filter keeps your motor oil clean and contaminant-free. It catches microscopic wear particles that come from the engine’s mechanical parts. It also helps trap debris that may have passed through the air filter.

How often to replace filters depends on who made your car and where you use it. So, check your owner’s manual first. If you drive in highly-polluted or very dusty places, though, it’s wise to change them more often.

Make Cars for Beginners Last 200K Miles

There you have it, the top tips for maintaining cars for beginners. The more of them you abide by, the higher your ride’s odds of reaching, even exceeding 200,000 miles. Most importantly, they can help keep your car safe for use on the road.

Did you like this article? If so, then feel free to read our other car maintenance, travel, and lifestyle blog posts now!