If you’re a driver who wants to keep your car as long as possible, here are four things you need to know.

Oil Changes

There are usually warning signs to indicate that something is off, and there may be things that you do or don’t do that will cause the engine to stall. From clogged air filters to worn-out liners and stretched seat belts from accumulated miles, regular maintenance helps keep a car in tune. Modern drivers know the importance of oil changes.

A Good Wash

Washing your car doesn’t just make it beautiful, it keeps it clean. The underside is rough, constantly exposed to water, dirt and dirt in the form of rust. Paint protects the car’s body panels from the elements, and its longevity helps to remove corrosive pollutants.

This doesn’t mean you don’t need to wash your car regularly. Most cars have drainage holes, and rust-inducing water can drip down. Pits form that eat straight through the metal parts. Therefore, it’s especially important that you wash it regularly, especially during winter when there’s salt on the roads.

Pack of Excess Load

What this means is that the smaller a car weighs, the better it would drive. The larger a car weighs, the harder the engine, transmission, and suspension have to work. If your car is not designed to carry extra weight, the unnecessary strain will take many miles off your car. So pack off the excess.

Start Slowly

It’s a rush to get out the door in the morning because you have to clean up and check your online life. When you finally get to your car, you’re left hoping to beat the traffic jam. However, the car just needs time to prepare to roll when it’s time to leave.

When you light up your car, the oil pump distributes oil to the engine. Engine oil lubricates engine parts, but it takes time for all the parts to get properly oiled.

Once the oil reaches the right temperature and passes through the engine, the machine will leave it there. If you must hit the road, gently drive the first and second miles.

Floor it

Modern drives are programmed to keep engine speeds low in the name of efficiency. While it is indisputable that higher engine speed burns fuel faster and increases the load on components, it’s good for the engine to occasionally pass its speed range. This helps remove carbon dioxide from the intake.

Rounding up

Imagine how much carbon dioxide builds up in the engine, allowing it to reach the red line after a few hundred miles. This is an easy way to make your engine last longer and will use little or no gas. You can do this by fully warming it up and being sure that it’s at a minimum of 50% of its maximum power output.

If you want your car to last longer, keeping it in working order is the surest way to do it. Even if you take great care of it, parts will wear out and need to be replaced over time. When this happens, don’t skimp on paying a qualified professional to make the repair using high-quality components. If you were on a road trip through Louisiana, for example, you can get good car repair in New Orleans or other cities in the state. Investing in repairs will almost always be cheaper than buying a new car. Using cheap parts and not knowing about car maintenance needs will only hurt your car in the long run.