If you love your car (or cars) like we love ours – then keeping them in perfect working condition should be one of your top priorities, specially if you have pre-owned vehicles or imported cars.

Maintenance of Pre-Owned Vehicles

You own a used car or planning to buy one? Be aware that pre-owned vehicles do require a bit more attention than new cars. Washing and waxing your car on a regular basis is just one example, as it will help protect it from corrosion. Also the interior of a used car needs extra care and regular cleaning, to prevent wear-and-tear.

Here are some more tips to maintain your Pre-owned vehicle:

• Change and Check your Engine Oil: Changing the oil of your car engine is mandatory. When your car is due for a change will depend on your car’s condition and milage. It’s also advised to regularly check your engine oil every 2-3 weeks, to make sure there’s no leak. Just be sure to check the oil when the engine is off.

• Maintain your Engine Fluids: Almost all cars have markings in the radiator – showing the required fluid level. Always keep the fluid level between these measurement markings, but…Be Ware! Never open the radiator cap when your engine is on or still hot! Remember to always allow your car to cool down for a while, before you open the radiator cap. c vehicle, checking the transmutation fluid is much like checking the oil. However, to get the most accurate reading, it is best to have the engine warm.

• Check your Power Steering and Brake Fluids: Both the power steering and brakes of your car have oil fluids that need to be checked regularly.

• Check your Tires: Want your tires to last long in pristine condition? Make it a habit to check tire balancing, rotations, wheel alignment, and of course the air pressure – which is specially important during cold weather or before long road trips.

• Check your Timing Belt: If this belt goes defect – then so does your entire used car. Its probably the most important part of your car’s engine. You will need to change your timing belt anywhere between 60,000 to 90,000 miles, depending on your car’s model, year and how it was used.

• Get your Car Checked by Pros: If you want to keep your used car for many years to come, have it checked for regular tune-ups by a professional. It’s not just to keep your car well maintained for the long run – but to ensure your safety and the others around you.   

Maintenance of Imported Cars

You just bought an expensive imported car? Or you plan to import a car? Then you better read along.

Like with any other car, it’s crucial to have your imported car serviced and maintained regularly. By that I mean the above mentioned Services like having your oil changed regularly, checking your car fluids, your brakes etc. However, that’s not always enough for imported cars.

Driving a luxury imported car is a wonderful experience, but it requires a few extra maintenance habits you should follow. Here are a few:

• Buy Only Genuine OEM Spare Parts: You might be tempted to buy cheaper (usually China-made) spare parts, but if you wish to preserve and extend the life of your imported car, and even enhance its performance – I recommend sticking to Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) spare parts.

• Select a Mechanic With Experience in Imported Cars: Imported cars are usually designed and built a bit differently than domestic cars, so specific knowledge and tools are sometimes required. Also, a mechanic who does not have that experience in imported cars might not identify common issues related to these luxury cars. So as you choose your auto repair shop where you plan to have your regular maintenance, ensure the place has valid experience in working with imported cars.

• Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines: This is always a good tip to follow, but with imported cars it’s much more important. Every car manufacturer has his own guidelines for their advised maintenance procedures and schedule. These usually include guidelines for safety measures to follow, parts replacement schedules, how to use advanced features, etc. Since repairing imported cars can be much more costly, following these guidelines may help you avoid very expensive problems in the future.

You feel ready to maintain your new or future car?

Go ahead and fulfill your dream…:)