For Seniors, The Age of Your Car is as Important as the Mileage

 

Many seniors may only put a few thousand miles per year on their cars, some even less.  Low mileage on your car can give you a false sense of security, when it comes to preventive vehicle maintenance. The fact is that time is equally important as the mileage is when determining needed maintenance.

Good mechanics will factor in both time and mileage and will recommend services based more on time than mileage in some circumstances.  For instance, under normal conditions the antifreeze may have a factory recommended interval service of 50,000 miles.  However, if you are driving a 2002 Toyota with 20,000 miles on the odometer, your mechanic may recommend flushing and replacing the antifreeze, more because of time than mileage.

Other items of concern due to time are tires, belts, hoses, filters, and other fluids.  Other components, such as the brake system can also be affected when a vehicle is not used often.  To insure your safety and the safety of others on the road, speak to you service professional about preventive maintenance. Remember, it’s not always the mileage, time is also a factor.

January 2012 Automotive Checklist

A New Year's Resolution For Your Car

A New Year's resolution for your car helps you understand how becoming more organized will help keep your car in top running condition. Look how things like keeping good car repair records and keeping on top of car service reminders, plus some new seasonal car care tips, can help keep your car running longer. (NewsUSA) - Getting more organized is a common New Year's Resolution -- whether it's a harried taxpayer's pledge to be a better record keeper or a pack rat's promise to de-clutter. "Getting organized works wonders for the family car," notes Martin Lawson, editorial director for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). "The money saved from approaching your vehicle in a systematic manner is a pretty strong incentive to keep your resolution." The following tips from Osceola Garage will help motorists get and stay organized. - Record Keeping. Keep a copy of every completed work order, from oil changes and brake service to major repairs. In addition to helping document any warranty work, a complete service record is very appealing to potential buyers. - Service Reminders. Read your owner's manual and follow the service schedules listed. We send out automatic reminders to our regular customers and other shops will send or should sent out as well.. Many of today's manufacturers include e-mailed reminders and even remote satellite diagnostic reports. Timely, regular maintenance saves money in the long run by helping your vehicle run efficiently. - Tactical Care. Don't ignore service-engine lights, poor engine performance, rough handling, fading brakes or other issues that present themselves. Neglect can cost more in the long run by making minor issues worse. For example, brake pads are cheaper and easier to replace than are brake rotors. - Housekeeping. Don't use the trunk as a catch-all. Keep only essential items there. Remove roof-top cargo carriers as soon as your trip is over. Less clutter means less weight, which means better gasoline mileage. Keep your vehicle's interior clean of trash and clutter and vacuum the seats and carpeting on a regular basis to prevent premature wear and tear and staining. Wax your car at least once a year to help preserve the paint job (and its resale value). - Heal Thyself. Other automotive resolutions are less about your vehicle and more about you. Avoid jackrabbit starts; sudden accelerations waste fuel and are hard on the engine. Slow down; speeding greatly decreases miles per gallon. Hard stops wear out brakes. Visit www.osceolagarage.com for seasonal car care tips and information about our automotive shop and  certified automotive technicians.