5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

As one of the premier auto repair shops in Missouri, the team here at U.S. Automotive is proud to offer not only the highest quality services but also superior customer service. By holding ourselves to the highest expectations, we understand that it takes a bit of going above and beyond to exceed our customer’s expectations.

Now, most auto repair shops are in business to make money. Sure, we are too, but we also believe in keeping your vehicle running at optimal levels and out of the shop when possible. In this article, we’ll cover the top five ways to keep your vehicle on the road while avoiding potentially costly repairs!

Don’t neglect your oil

The easiest way to extend the life of your vehicle is to maintain the oil. Your oil not only heats the vehicle, but it also helps to lubricate intricate engine parts. Thus, but scheduling regular oil changes, utilizing the proper oil type for your engine, and checking fluid levels, you can take many stresses off of an already hard-working component, the engine.

Replacing your timing belt is a must

Synchronized with the opening and closing of your engine’s valves, the timing belt has a busy job. Made of rubber, these belts usually last between 50,000 and 110,000 miles. Although the replacement of a timing belt isn’t a cheap fix, it’s a lot less expensive than replacing an entire engine.

Keeping transmission fluid at proper levels

Like the oil, your transmission fluid plays a crucial role in the life of your vehicle. However, unlike the oil, transmission fluid helps to cool the engine instead of heating it. Furthermore, this fluid is responsible for lubricating the parts that help your vehicle to shift between gears smoothly. So, if you’re a stop and go driver, you may want to check in on this element a bit more often than not.

Topping off brake fluids

With its own reservoir, brake fluid is a relatively simple check. By maintaining recommended levels in between fluid replacement, you can ensure safety for yourself and your passengers. Because most reservoirs aren’t airtight, moisture can enter and mix with the brake fluid, watering it down. Over time, this will affect the stopping distance of your vehicle. Sure, this may not extend the life of the vehicle, but we think it’s an important mention!

Rotating your tires

Tire replacement, especially all four at once, can be a hefty expense. However, with routine alignment and rotations, you can extend the life and performance of your tires. Checking your air pressure is also important in between maintenance checks. If you’re not sure what the optimal pressure is for your vehicle, check inside the driver’s side door.

Whether it’s an oil change or tire rotation, if your looking for auto repair shops in Missouri, look no further. Here at U.S. Automotive, we know cars and what it takes to keep them on the road.

To schedule your routine maintenance, give our team a call at (417) 869-2337.