5 Things to Do to Lengthen The Lifespan of Your Nissan

Buying a car is a sizable investment, so many owners are looking for ways to prolong the lifespan of their cars. You can easily extend the life of your Nissan, whether it’s a brand new model or an older vehicle. All you need to do is follow these five steps.

Have Your Tires Rotated and Balanced

It may not seem like an important aspect of vehicle maintenance, but regular tire rotation and balance is the best way to extend the life of your tires. Many tire manufacturers recommend having the service done at least once every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. If you have trouble remembering how many miles you’ve driven since the last rotation and balance service, just have it done when you get your oil changed. You can also arrange to have the service every six months.

Clean your Engine

Regularly washing the exterior of your car makes it look nice on the outside, but most car owners don’t think about cleaning up beneath the hood. Engines have unwanted things running through them, including thick oil that leaves behind sludge and air that contains bits of leaves, dirt, dust, and other debris. Getting a regular oil change will ensure that only clean oil runs through the engine. It’s also smart to wipe off any accumulated sludge from the outside of the engine a few times a year.

Before you pull out the cleaning products, check with an expert at an auto parts store to make sure various components are protected.

Change the Filters

Clean filters are necessary for components like the engine and heating/cooling system, otherwise they won’t work properly. The filters eventually become get clogged with dirt but, since they aren’t visible, many vehicle owners don’t think about changing them. Get in the habit of changing the fuel, oil, transmission, and air filters in your Nissan about 2 to 4 times per year to keep the components in good condition.

Follow the Recommended Maintenance Schedule

When an automotive manufacturer recommends that certain maintenance services should be performed on the vehicle when it has reached specific mileage numbers, it’s best to follow those guidelines. The manufacturers know exactly which parts are under the hood, so they know what’s best for your specific vehicle. If you have an automatic transmission, you should also have the transmission fluid drained and replaced at least once every 25,000 miles. You should have this done more often if you tow frequently with your truck or SUV. Manual transmissions require lubricant changes about half as often, or once every 50,000 miles.

Protect It from Weather

Weather changes have major impacts on your car, especially on the exterior. Keep your car in the garage as much as possible. If you don’t have a garage, use a car cover when it’s parked outside. You should also wash it routinely to prevent corrosion and rust, which is especially common if you drive on icy roads during the winter months.

Protect your investment and prolong the life of your Nissan.

Image via Flickr by Ryan Gsell

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