“Engines are smaller today, but they’re doing more, so oil is expected to handle those higher demands,” says Findley. What’s that mean in real talk? Though engines are more powerful and efficient, changing your oil is as vital as ever if you want to extend the life of your car. So how often, and when should you do it? To find out…
2. Read the damn manual
“Most of the time when people say they know better (about choosing a particular grade of motor oil), they don’t,” says Findley. “Manufacturers have spent millions on knowing what type of oil is the best for a particular car. By choosing the wrong one, you could increase wear and lose fuel economy.” Pay attention, Findley says, to the definition of “severe driving” in your particular model’s manual. “Most people think they’re ‘normal drivers’ and follow what they perceive as normal guidelines, but they don't read the manual. If you look at what the definition of "severe driving" is, most people fall into that category which consists of lots of short trips in stop and go traffic, or living in dusty, hot, or cold conditions.”
3. Change your wiper blades
Would you go on a date with your specs covered in grease from your sweaty mitts? No? Then you shouldn’t drive around town with a windshield that’s slowly taken on a layer of grime, thanks to deteriorating rubber blades. Most experts recommend swapping your old wiper blades out for new ones every six months. The cost (between $10 and $25) is worth it -- for a clearer, prettier Instagram-worthy sunset view -- but only from the passenger seat, of course.
4. Inspect your tires regularly
Yeah, we are about to get all fatherly up in here. Like Dad always said: bald, worn out tires provide less control on the road, and worse braking. Turn to a founding father -- Abe Lincoln -- to see if yours need replacing. Grab a penny and put it Lincoln-head down in one of the tread grooves, if part of Honest Abe’s head is always covered by rubber, you likely don’t need need to replace your tires. If you can see all of Abe, it’s probably time for a fresh set.
5. Maintain your brakes
It shouldn’t need to be said, but never neglect the warning signs that your brakes need care. Even if you don’t see a brake warning light, hearing squeaking, squealing, or other odd noises coming from your brakes might mean that your pads or rotors need to be replaced. Don’t just turn up your music to try to drown out the sound -- deal with it!
Before the magic of internal combustion begins, an air filter prevents dust and debris from getting into your engine, where oxygen and fuel meet to make sweet, sweet love. Like a bouncer outside of the backstage. But when it’s clogged, an air filter can’t do its job properly, and your car’s ability to accelerate can be cut by as much as eleven percent. That’s why it’s vital to change yours at an annual interval, or earlier, if your manufacturer recommends it.
If your car's owner's manual doesnt call for premium fuel, don't use it -- higher octane fuel doesn't provide higher performance for engines that don't need it. Again, read the manual to find out what your car requires. But that doesn’t mean you should buy the most bargain-basement gas you can find from some off-brand station you've never heard of. “When you’re using the cheapest gas in town, you could be getting what you pay for,” says Findley.
8. Watch your coolant
Coolant absorbs the heat of the engine and disperses it. Seriously, you should have it flushed once a year with a mix that’s fifty percent coolant, fifty percent distilled water to ensure endless chill for your ride.
The phrase “Looking good, feeling good” doesn’t just apply to your gym routine -- it applies to your car battery too. Dirt and oil can drain your battery’s current and shorten its life, so treat it to a shammy. Check the terminals for corrosion and apply a mixture of baking soda and water if they’re crusty.
You don’t use dishwashing soap to wash your princely mane in the shower and you shouldn’t use it to wash your car, either. Dish soap’s abrasive nature wears down the finish of your car and can lead to a dull sheen and oxidized paint. Most car soaps are pH balanced and can give your ride the sweet caress it deserves.
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