It is logical to want to do more driving and less repairing over the life span of your vehicle. That is why the technicians at abel auto repair have compiled a list of tips and general information that will help you take care of your vehicle without needing t spend hundreds of dollars on repairs.

Driving

»  Drive with care daily :

Driving careful means that you should be considerate of what your vehicle was made to do and what it was not made to do. Keeping this in mind will help save you money on repairs that could have been prevented.

• DO NOT put your car's engine at high rps when it first starts. Doing this will add years of wear and tear especially if its under 60 degrees outside.
• Slowly accelerate when you begin your daily drive. The most amount of damage can occur in the first 10 - 20 minutes of the car running.
• Warming up your car in the driveway is not a smart idea since it is not functioning at peak performance just by idling. This will cause for fuel not to be burned efficiently and deposited along the walls of your engine making its life span that much shorter.
• While in a red light pop your automatic transmission into neutral. This makes for less strain on your cars transmission since it is working hard to push you forward while you are holding the brakes.
• Do not drive at high speeds or accelerate violently, especially when it’s very hot or very cold outside. Doing this can result in more frequent repairs.
• Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don’t run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking.
• Avoid turning your steering wheel extremely to the right or left since this can damage the power steering pump.
• Most of the wear and tear takes place in the first few minutes of driving especially if the location you are trying to reach is within walking distance.

» The gasoline my car uses :

It is very important to choose the right gas station to fill your car's tank with since the one you are using may not change its filters regularly, not mix alcohol and gasoline properly or even worse water down their gas. This sort of "dirty gasoline" can have a huge impact on the way your vehicle performs. Find a trustworthy gas station and stay with it.

• Come back another day or go to a different station If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station. Turbulence can stir up sediment build up in the bottom of the tanks and that same sediment will be deposited into your cars tank and possibly cause damages.

» Keep track of repairs :

It is very important to keep track of repairs and maintains performed on your vehicle in the past and to mention them to the automotive repair facility that you choose. This can help them rule out possible problems.

• Grab a pen and paper and write down the date, problem, repair, and cost. Keep it in a safe folder and carry into the repair facility of your choice.

» Stuck and flooring it :

If you are ever stuck in mud, water, or snow then it is very important that you do not floor your vehicle in the attempt to get unstuck since this can have huge negative effects on your car. Problems like broken engines, transmissions, suspensions, or other compo ne nets are not uncommon with vehicles that get stuck. IT is better to not risk more damage and do the following.

• Call a tow truck
• Put sand of gravel in the tractions path to ensure good grip

» Storage and preparation:

If you are planning on not driving a vehicle for a long period of time then it is essential to do the following to make sure that damage is not done as it sits :

• Fill your gas tank, to make sure that condensation does not accumulate in the gas tank.
• Buy a quality fuel stabilizer and add it to your car or truck and have it run for 10 - 25 minutes so that it is evenly distributed.
• Take it to a car was and get any sort of sediment, mud, or dirt that may be attached to it to preserve the paints finish.
• If you have jack stands then use them to get the weight from the vehicle off the tires and prevent them from being damaged.
• Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining.
• Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from entering it along with rodents.