Keeping up Maintenance; Keeping Off the Side of the Road

A newly purchased vehicle, especially if it is one of the used cars in Stafford, Va from the Buy Here Pay Here lot at Airport Auto Sales, can be a very precious item. Even if you could not afford a brand new vehicle, a used car purchase is still momentous and should illicit pride in its buyer. You want to ensure that your vehicle will be able to keep rolling for many miles to come. Routine and preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure that your vehicle continues to run at optimal levels and stays away from expensive repairs.

Perhaps the easiest way to maintain your newly purchased vehicle is to keep up the vehicle’s inspections. It may seem obvious, but frequent inspections can allow mechanics to spot potential mechanical issues. Even if the vehicle does not need an immediate repair, early detection of issues can be pivotal in saving hundreds of dollars. Typically, the longer a problem is ignored; the more expensive it becomes to repair. The next easiest and routine work you can do is an oil change. We suggest oil changes every 3000 to 4000 miles for our Buy Here Pay Here cars but all used cars in Stafford, Va have their own manufacturer recommendations. A check with the owner’s manual is the safest route. By checking the oil once a month you can determine when you might need an oil change. If they oil is clear, it is still good. Once it begins to turn dark and murky it needs a change. Frequent oil changes will ensure your engine is running smoothly. Vehicles that go too long without oil changes can suffer from extreme engine damage.

Checking your fluids should also be done about once a month. Making sure that the engine oil, antifreeze, power steering, coolant, brake fluid, and even wiper fluid are topped off will keep used cars in Stafford, Va running effortlessly. Fluids often ensure that your engine does not overheat. If you do not want to fill any of them yourself, you can often get them filled at your oil changes. We like to check and top off fluids with every oil change at our Buy Here Pay Here lot at Airport Auto Sales. If you notice that any fluid is burning too quickly or leaking you should immediately inquire with a mechanic. When you check your fluids monthly you should also take a tire pressure gauge to your tires. By checking and topping the air pressure off you can avoid potential flat tires. A quick check with an upside down penny will show you how much viable tread you have left. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it is time for a new set of tires. Keeping up with tire rotations and balancing with every other oil change can extend the life of your tires.

A quick check under the hood can allow you to inspect your battery and spark plugs. These might seem like they are more difficult to maintain but routine checks are actually quite simple. Make sure there is no corrosion on the battery or spark plugs. If there is corrosion on the battery you can buy a battery cleaning brush to scrub it off. It might be worth it to also buy a cheap tester and jumper. If the spark plugs are covered in grime and corrosion they should be replaced. You can do this yourself or take it to a shop.

One of the easiest and most overlooked maintenance you can do for used cars in Stafford, Va is to give the car a bath. Occasionally scrubbing off the grime will not only protect your paint, but hosing the fenders and undercarriage down will protect your vehicle from road wash rust and salt erosion. These steps may seem overzealous and excessive to do so frequently, but can save drivers in costly surprise repairs down the road.