One of the questions we are asked most is “what should I do to make my car last longer?” This is a good question, and is a fantastic approach to vehicle ownership; buying a new car, truck or SUV is typically a large investment for motorists throughout Burke, VA and Clifton, VA and why wouldn’t you want to ensure it lasts as long as possible? So, in response to our customer questions, we have taken this opportunity to put our recommendations down, and since we are the car repair experts serving Fairfax Station,VA and we know so much about the subject, there is likely to be more tips on this subject in the future. So be sure to stop by and see what we have to offer next week too.
- When the time comes to fill-up your car, if you see the gasoline tanker truck there filling the tanks, find another station or come back later. When the underground tanks are being filled, the flow of new gasoline entering the tank causes any sediment in the tank to float around and eventually make its way into your gas tank. With gas sediment comes clogged fuel filters, fuel injectors and many other problems — not to mention poor vehicle performance and gas mileage.
- When winter and spring hit and the roads become a bit tricky to navigate throughout the Burke, VA area, you may find yourself in a ditch — or even just stuck in an unlikely place. When this happens, make sure you resist the urge to just “floor it” and see what happens. Putting the vehicle in drive and then quickly in reverse to “rock it” you are also spinning the tires and producing a large quantity of heat which can damage your transmission, clutch and differential. Rather than risk the damage and expense of repairs, just give-in and call for help.
- Believe it or not, the weight of your key chain does matter. The extra weight that accumulates from big, bulky key chains or even a large number of keys (typically more than 10) is enough to eventually damage your ignition switch. The added weight and bouncing of the vehicle will wear-out the tumblers inside the ignition switch and may mean your car won’t start at some point. True, this warning is about the longevity of a particular component of your vehicle, but that’s also topic of our tips — preventing damaging and making your vehicle last longer.
- You’ve probably heard of keeping a food journal when dieting to keep track of your progress and maintenance, well you should keep an auto journal as well. Keeping track of your auto maintenance and gas fill-ups is a great way to notice when something is wrong. For example, if you notice after years of getting 30 miles per gallon your vehicle begins a slow decline toward 20 miles per gallon, this is likely an indication something else is wrong with the vehicle.
For more information and for your auto tune-up needs, stop in today to Wiygul Automotive Clinic in Burke, VA and we will happily assist.
