Used cars are costing more all the time because demand for them is rising as the cost of new cars continues to rise. Recent supply chain disruptions and high demand for new cars are creating a ripple effect that is making the cost of used cars rise, too. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average cost of a new car is more than $48,000 while the average cost of a used car that is no more than five years old in Michigan is more than $33,500.
Fortunately, most used cars are lasting longer than ever thanks to improvements in parts and general build quality. A used car that is well cared for should last about 200,000 miles or more. Properly caring for it makes a big difference in how long it will last and how reliably it will run while you own it. Here are some tips to help you make your used car last longer.
Follow the Recommended Service Intervals
When you buy a vehicle from one of the best used car dealerships in Jackson MI, you should expect it to be in relatively good condition and be reliable to drive. Virtually every used car sold should come with an owner’s manual that includes recommended service intervals compiled by the automaker. If the manual is missing, you should be able to request one free of charge through the dealership. The same engineers who designed the vehicle created the service intervals based on the expected service life of different parts, fluids, and other materials. Following the service intervals will help you to get the longest life from your car.
Inspect and Maintain the Brakes Every Year
Brakes are one of the most important mechanical systems on any vehicle but undergo a lot of wear and tear. Michigan’s roadways are notoriously hard on vehicles due to four seasons of weather and freeze-and-thaw cycles that create new potholes every year. Those potholes and general driving conditions put a pounding on the wheels and the brake components that are mounted to them. Inspecting the brakes to ensure everything is working well and replacing the brake pads when needed will help prevent accidents that might total your vehicle.
Prepare for Winter Driving
Michigan winters can be long, cold, and brutal with up to six months of snowfall. Winterizing your vehicle will help it handle the sometimes extreme winter weather that affects roads and driving in the Great Lakes State. Mounting snow tires, checking the antifreeze, and installing a hotter thermostat can help make it easier to get to where you are going in snowy weather. You also should make sure the windshield wiper blades are suitable for clearing snow, slush, and frost from the windshield with an assist from wiper fluid that contains deicer. When spring arrives, you can mount all-season radials and install a cooler thermostat to prepare for summertime driving while enabling your vehicle to last as long as possible.
