Here are 10 top tips to help prolong the life of your car.

1. Be patient whilst in the running in period. During the first 1000 miles of your car’s life, do not go over 55 mph. Do not put your car under heavy loads and use gradual light acceleration. This is the time when the engine is at it’s most sensitive and can cause problems much further down the line if not looked after properly.
2. Maintain good driving habits; do not accelerate rapidly and brake suddenly; a tip from the professionals: you should be able to put a cup of coffee on your dashboard and drive without spilling it. Avoid racing and always let your engine get to operating temperature before putting your foot down at all. Avoid putting your car under heavy loads and never use low quality gas.
3. Always park in the shade or a covered garage; especially if you live in a very sunny area to avoid paint fade. Use your garage or carport when you leave fore vacation, or use a car cover.
4. Clean the inside regularly. Use floor mats to save the carpet. Especially in the winter; carpet takes a heavy beating due to the bad weather.
5. Use wax to protect the paint job. Well maintained paint goes a long way when it comes to resale value or just a good appearance.
6. Continuinly get general checkups done; brake system and alignment checked regularly. If your fluids are low, find out the reasons and have it fixed.
7. Rotate and properly maintain your tires. Rotating the tires will increase the life of the rubber and will make sure they wear off evenly. This way tires will be safer to drive.
8. Check the engine oil every week or at list every other fill up. Oil is the most important thing that you can check on your own. It provides the lubrication that reduces the friction in the engine. If the oil is low or it is too old it will not do its job and eventually it will damage your engine. Make sure to change the oil every 3000 miles and use the correct grade, that’s appropriate for your vehicle.
9. Keep your car clean. Even in the winter, make sure you wash the interior and the exterior. Prevent dust and dirt from building up in your vehicle; once it sets in, it is hard to get rid of.
10. Check all the fluids that you can on your own, any you can’t make sure they get checked by the mechanic. Every time you stop by your local garage ask the mechanic to take a look at the fluids and the systems that need checkups. If there is a problem, have it fixed promptly; do not procrastinate.

If you follow these steps and keep on top of them, your car will look after you and last much longer, also when you come to sell it you will get the money you want for it.