When it comes to your vehicle, you should be doing all you can to preserve the life of it.

Whether you spent minimal dollars on it or thousands and thousands of dollars, taking care of your vehicle is a smart investment. Yes, while every new vehicle bought on the lot depreciates from the moment you take it off the lot, that doesn’t mean you should avoid general upkeep.

With that being the case, what are you doing in order to extend the life of your car or truck as long as possible?

Don’t Mistreat Your Car or Truck

So that you are able to get the most money out of your vehicle/s over time, make sure you are doing the following:

  • Protection – For starters, do you garage your car or truck on a regular basis? If you live in a nice climate, keeping your vehicle under cover is not as big a deal. That said those drivers residing in wintery climates should have some sort of shelter for their car or truck. If you do not have a garage on your property, there is perhaps the option of building one. If that option is not on the table, consider the idea of metal carport kits. With this option, you can not only keep your car protected, but it will also add value to your home when you go to sell it one day. Also keep in mind that the metal carport lasts longer than one comprised of wood, so go for longevity if you decide a carport is right for your vehicle;
  • Maintenance – Never overlook the importance of regular maintenance check-ups for your vehicle/s. Without such diligence, you could be setting your vehicle and your wallet or purse up for a breakdown or two. Even if you choose to put off major maintenance check-ups, don’t overlook such important items as oil checks, tire rotations, and brake alignments etc. Not only are those actions important to preserving your car or truck, but they also keep you and others safer out on the roads. Also, if you are involved in an accident (something more than just a minimal fender-bender etc.), be sure to have your vehicle checked out from head to toe. Unseen damages from an accident (see more below about safety) can later on down the road render your vehicle disabled, not to mention potentially put you and others at risk. Lastly, if travel plans are in your near future, make sure your vehicle is checked out. The last thing you want to have happen is your trip getting derailed somewhere far from home because your vehicle has a problem, a problem that may very well have been caught by a mechanic ahead of time.

Don’t Be a Reckless Driver

  • Safety – When it comes to safety, you can never be too safe out there on the roads. Even if you are doing all you can to be a safe driver, you unfortunately know that many others are not abiding by the rules of the road. It also doesn’t hurt to take a driver safety course on occasion, allowing you to freshen up on your driving skills. In the event you have a teen just getting ready to drive, make sure he or she is drilled on the importance of not only safe driving, but also taking care of their vehicle (in many cases this is your vehicle too). It can become too convenient for a teen to trash a car before long, so instill in them the importance of caring for a vehicle from an early age.

So that you can do all that is necessary to protect your vehicle, take some time to review not only how you house your car or truck, but the level of maintenance you provide.

Lastly, never lose focus on getting to and from home safely.

When you do all those three things, you and your vehicle will drive away safe and happy.