Tips to Make Your Vehicle Last Longer in Greenville, NC

How Do You Make Your Vehicle Last?

Maintaining a vehicle isn't the only factor that determines its longevity; it's also important to drive smartly and take proactive measures to prolong its life. At Barbour-Hendrick Honda Greenville, you can count on our auto service center to help you keep your Honda in good shape. If you need routine maintenance or a repair service, come to our Greenville, NC, dealership.

Additionally, our team of expert mechanics has compiled expert tips to prolong your vehicle's life. In these expert tips, you will learn everything you need to know, from minimizing acceleration to using the parking brake properly.

Maintain a Long-Lasting Car by Following These Habits

Your typical driving habits will affect your vehicle almost as much as your maintenance habits. Your daily driving style can affect everything from fuel efficiency to the rate of wear and tear on key components. Here are a few things you should keep in mind every time you get behind the wheel.

Avoid Bad Driving Habits

You can damage your vehicle's brakes, tires, and engine by speeding, hard braking, and sudden acceleration. When you drive smoothly, your car's components last longer, and you can save fuel.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Avoid sudden acceleration. Pressing down too hard on the gas pedal leads to fuel waste and drivetrain damage. Rapid acceleration puts excessive strain on the engine and transmission, causing premature wear and tear.
• Don't make a turn when the vehicle is not in motion. When you turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary, you strain the steering system.
• Stop before changing gears. While the vehicle is still rolling, gear changes can damage engine mounts, CV joints, and transmissions. Thus, stopping before changing gears is recommended.

Regular Maintenance

The owner's manual has maintenance instructions. Follow it to make sure oil changes, brake repairs, filter changes, and tire rotations are done on time. Regular maintenance is essential to keeping your car in top shape.

Your regular maintenance schedule should include checking your tires' inflation and tread depth, replacing old and clogged filters, refilling fluids, and ensuring all lights are functioning properly.

Don't Overload

Excess weight stresses the engine, suspension, and brakes. When your vehicle carries more weight, the engine works harder, reducing fuel efficiency. Additionally, the brakes may degrade faster due to increased suspension pressure. Review the vehicle's payload or towing capacity before loading or packing cargo to ensure optimal performance.

Use Your Parking Brake Correctly

Reduce the strain on the automatic transmission by using the parking brake when you are parked on a hill. By shifting into park, your car's weight can rest on the parking pawl, a small metal component in your transmission. You need to shift into neutral, apply the brake, and then shift into park to use the parking brake properly. By doing this, you are protecting your transmission and preventing unnecessary wear.

Keep Your Vehicle Clean

The best way to prevent rust and corrosion on your car is by regularly cleaning and waxing it, especially in areas exposed to road salt and debris.

Reduce Short Trips

Frequently running the engine at low temperatures can damage the oil and other components. Therefore, short-distance driving requires more frequent oil changes. To increase engine efficiency and reduce wear and tear, combine errands and drive longer in one go rather than frequently taking short trips.

Book An Auto Service in Greenville, NC

The Barbour-Hendrick Honda Greenville team is ready to assist you whenever you need expert maintenance or care. With our exceptional services, you can entrust us with everything from routine maintenance to major repairs. Let us take care of your vehicle so that you can enjoy driving with peace of mind.