Essential New Year’s Resolutions for Your Car

We’re approaching a new year, and what better time is it to recommit taking excellent care of your automobile? Here are a few new year’s resolutions to help you keep your vehicle in good working condition while hopefully avoiding any costly repairs.

Keep Your Car Clean

Keeping your car clean can be a never-ending battle, especially if you have kids. It seems that the moment you’re finally able to get all the trash, toys, and food crumbs removed, it’s right back to where it was after your next drive.

A clean car is obviously better for your car, but it’s also better for you (and your passengers). Clutter-free vehicles offer less distractions (and we all know how dangerous distracted drivers can be). Limit potential embarrassment when giving someone else a ride (friend, family member, coworker) by keeping your vehicle clean and tidy.

Additionally, maintaining a clean car will help keep the resale value higher when it’s time to trade-in. Trashed vehicles require more reconditioning and will be valued less on trade in.

Address Potential Issues Proactively

Don’t wait for one of your vehicle’s major components to fail by getting any potential problems checked out immediately upon the first signs of trouble. If something sounds wrong, feels strange, or smells funny, it’s best to not wait and get it looked at as soon as possible.

Regular checkups and preventative maintenance go a long way. Be sure to get your oil changes at your vehicle’s recommended intervals, and keep your fluids topped off – especially in the winter months.

Integrity offers oil changes for only $14.99.

Additionally, stay on top of the condition of your tires and wheels. Keep your tires properly inflated and don’t let your them get bald before replacing them. Make sure that your wheels are properly aligned and balanced; failing to do so can cause several mechanical problems for your vehicle, including negatively impacting its gas efficiency. Properly maintained tires and wheels vital to your car’s performance and health.

Vow to be a Safe Driver

The best New Year’s vow you can make for your car is to reduce — or completely eliminate – any accidents caused by unsafe driving. Never drive while impaired, avoid distractions, and always follow the rules of the road. Failing to do so is dangerous and potentially costly. Check out our “Commit to Safe Driving” blog for more suggestions on how to be responsible on the road.

Taking proper care of your vehicle will help extend its life, helping it last through the new year and beyond.