The Seven Secrets to Maintaining Your Car

Expert Robert Sikorsky provides tips and advice on how to take care of your car in this article.

He has written a book called Drive It Forever that shares valuable information on how to keep your used car running smoothly.

By following these tips, you can save money on car payments and extend the life of your vehicle. The article focuses on nine secrets to maintain your car, making it easy to understand and personal.

1. Drive Smoothly

Drive smoothly to extend the life of your used car. The way you drive has a big impact on how long your car will last. Here are three tips to help you drive smoothly:

• Slow down before stop lights turn green: If you see a stoplight about to turn green, slow down and, if possible, keep moving until the light changes. This will help you maintain a smooth driving style, reducing the wear and tear on your used vehicle.

• Avoid sudden starts and stops: Quickly changing lanes or abruptly stopping and starting decreases the lifetime of your vehicle. The goal is to keep moving smoothly all the time, even if you can't drive without stopping and starting.

• Avoid aggressive driving: Accelerating suddenly is not recommended unless it's an emergency situation. This kind of driving can quickly wear down your car and reduce its lifespan. It's better to drive calmly and smoothly, even if it means arriving a little later.

2.  Avoid Idling 

Reducing engine idle time can help extend the life of your car. Here are two tips to help you reduce engine idle time:

• Turn off the engine when waiting: If you are waiting in parking lots, waiting for others to get ready, or running inside to grab something, it's a good idea to turn off the engine. This will reduce engine wear and save fuel.

• Turn off the air conditioner in stop-and-go traffic: When driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic that is barely moving, it's best to turn off the air conditioner. Your engine has to work hard to cool the car, which can increase wear and tear. It's better to wait until you're moving before turning it back on.

3. Take Your Car on a Highway Trip Occasionally

It is beneficial for your car's engine to take occasional highway trips, as highway driving provides the engine with two primary benefits:

• Fully warm up the engine: Regular short trips in the city can leave the engine under-warmed, which can lead to incomplete combustion and the build-up of deposits in the engine. A highway trip allows the engine to run at higher speeds for longer periods, fully warming it up and removing any built-up deposits.

• Remove built-up deposits: Short trips can also lead to the buildup of deposits in the engine, such as carbon and sludge, which can reduce performance and increase wear and tear. Highway driving, with its high speeds and long distances, helps to remove these deposits, improving engine performance and helping to extend the life of the vehicle.

4: Avoid Short Trips During Cold Weather

Winter driving is tough, especially if you only take short trips. Here are three reasons you shouldn't take short trips during winter:

• Engine wear: During short trips, the engine does not have enough time to warm up to its optimal operating temperature. This can result in incomplete combustion and increase engine wear.

• Deposits buildup: Short trips can also lead to the buildup of deposits in the engine, such as carbon and sludge, which can reduce performance and increase wear and tear. Cold weather can exacerbate this issue, making it even more important to avoid short trips during this time.

• To protect your car during cold weather, it's best to avoid taking short trips of less than five miles and instead, wait until you can take a longer trip that allows the engine to fully warm up. This will help prevent excessive engine wear and minimize deposit buildup, helping to extend the life of your car.

5: Park Further Away to Save Your Engine

Parking your car can also have an impact on its longevity and performance. Here are two benefits of parking further away from your destination:

• Reduce Engine Wear: Starting the engine and driving off after parking puts a strain on the engine. By parking further away, you reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling, which in turn reduces wear and tear on the engine.

• Get Exercise: Parking further away from your destination also has the added benefit of providing some exercise. Walking to and from your car can help you get some physical activity, which can have numerous health benefits.

• By parking further away, you can reduce the load on your engine, improving performance, and extending its life. And, as an added bonus, you'll also get some exercise, making it a win-win situation.

6: Accelerate Gradually to Save Gas and Reduce Engine Wear

You should never accelerate suddenly because it will negatively affect your fuel economy and the longevity of your car's engine. Here are two reasons why you should accelerate gradually:

• Fuel Economy: Sudden acceleration can significantly reduce fuel economy by consuming more fuel. Gradual acceleration, on the other hand, allows the engine to work more efficiently and consume less fuel.

• Engine Wear: Sudden acceleration can also put unnecessary stress on the engine, which can increase wear and tear. Gradual acceleration, on the other hand, is much gentler on the engine and can help extend its life.

• It's recommended to accelerate gradually, especially in stop-and-go traffic, to conserve fuel and reduce engine wear. Of course, there may be times when sudden acceleration is necessary, such as in emergency situations. But, in general, it's best to accelerate smoothly to protect your car's engine and improve fuel economy.

7: The Importance of Parking Position

The way you park your car can have an impact on the health of your engine and the ease of starting it up later. Here are two tips for optimal parking:

• Parking on a Downhill Slope: It's better to park your car on a downhill slope, as opposed to an uphill slope, when you're ready to start it later. Starting the engine uphill requires extra power from the engine, which can put unnecessary stress on it and make it work harder.

• Parking Further Away: Instead of cruising around a parking lot looking for a spot, try parking further away and getting a little exercise. Not only will this save your engine from the stress of starting up and driving short distances, it can also be a healthier option for you.

It is possible to extend the life of your engine by following these two tips, as well as make it easier to start your vehicle in the future.

In conclusion, maintaining your car requires more than just routine oil changes and tire rotations. By following the tips outlined in Robert Sikorsky's book "Drive It Forever," you can extend the life of your car and keep it running smoothly. From driving smoothly and avoiding sudden acceleration, to turning off the engine when idling and parking on a downhill slope, there are many small actions you can take to improve the health of your car. By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can potentially save thousands of dollars in repairs and replacement costs and enjoy a longer, smoother ride.