As a company that specializes in online registration in California and states throughout the US, we know a thing or two about cars. One thing that we know for sure is that buying a new car can be both overwhelming and expensive no matter how great a deal you get. According to Consumer Reports, the average age of vehicles on the road today is 11.4 years. With new advancements in technology and better manufacturing standards, our cars are lasting longer than ever before so you can get more for that high purchase price.
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However, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to put in any work or many once you drive off the lot. The truth is that car ownership requires responsibility. Just as you renew your registration every year online through services like eTags, you have to do things for your car either yourself or at an auto shop to ensure its longevity. Here are three musts for any car owner who wants to preserve his or her car:
Perform Regular Maintenance: This is probably an obvious one, but regular maintenance involves more than getting an oil change. You need to check and change your transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid periodically. You also should follow the maintenance schedule that is in your manual. This will give you information on when you’ll need a fuel pump, transmission, etc. Rotating your tires is another easy way to prolong the life of your tires and save some wear and tear on your vehicle. And always choose a mechanic you can trust will do the job right and for a fair (not cheap) price.
Buy Quality Parts: In addition to regular maintenance and safe driving, consider the parts you buy to repair or modify your car. If you can, stick to OEM parts as these parts come with a warranty and are built to the car manufacturer’s standards. Aftermarket parts have come a long way and they can be cheaper, but you should have assurances that the manufacturer is well-respected and is known for producing good parts. Quality parts are an easy way to extend the life and enhance the performance of your automobile. You may spend a little more upfront but you may save both money and a headache later on.
Drive Safer: In the age of the mobile phone and tablet, we understand how difficult it might be to avoid the temptation of “multi-tasking. You may have heard this a million times already, but avoiding distracted driving at all costs is extremely important. If you need to call someone, use a headset or the enabled Bluetooth speaker in your car. Eating and drinking should be kept at a minimum as well. It only takes a few seconds of unfocused attention to cause a crash that could damage your car and do, quite frankly, far worse.
In addition to that, avoid aggressive driving as this not only increases the risk of an accident but puts hard miles on your car.
