Maintenance Tips for Recently-Purchased Used Vehicles
It can be exciting purchasing a used vehicle, but if you want to keep your new-to-you vehicle running smoothly, it’s best not to wait when it comes to certain maintenance work. Having a history of what maintenance was recently performed on the vehicle can be a good starting place to go off of, as too can starting with a multi-point service inspection to see how the parts that make up your vehicle are doing. Read on as our team at The Car Lot gives helpful maintenance tips, including checking all the fluid levels and the battery, getting both the engine and cabin air filters checked if not replaced, and other maintenance to keep up in the long run (typical maintenance in maintaining any vehicle, including oil changes, tire rotation, and brake system checks) to keep your used vehicle running smoothly.
Check All the Fluids
The fluids of a vehicle are its lifeblood, so making certain that they are all clean and filled up is a good thing to start with when it comes to maintenance work on a used vehicle. If you have the maintenance history you can go off of that for regular fluid maintenance fill-up schedules for fluids like oil, coolant, and transmission, but it also doesn’t hurt to get them all checked and replaced if they need it. Stick to the refill schedule that the specific type of oil you choose to use suggests, and change it yourself if not at your trusted team’s maintenance shop. Coolant and transmission fluid should both typically be changed every 2-5 years, if not every 50,000 to 100,000 kilometres, so if you’re uncertain when they were last changed, go off the kilometres amount and also get them checked before driving too much to be safe.
Have the Battery Tested
Getting the battery strength tested is also important, as it gives you a good idea about how much longer it will last before you need to get a replacement battery. Given that the battery is necessary to even start the vehicle, it’s worth checking how much life the battery has left if the purchase history isn’t given when you were first looking at the vehicle to purchase it.
Replace the Filters As Needed
Both the engine and the cabin of your vehicle use filters. The engine filter keeps debris from entering the engine, while the cabin filter does similarly for the air in the cabin. Remove both and check to see how damaged or dusty they are, and replace them as necessary to keep them functioning as they should.
4 Tips for the Long Game
Like with any vehicle, make certain to keep a regular maintenance schedule for the following:
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- Oil Changes (to keep the engine working in peak condition)
- Tire Rotation (to help with wear and tear)
- Brake System Checks (this should be top of the list if you heard any noises when you stepped on the brake pedal during the test drive before you purchased, but should always be kept in mind given this system’s importance)
- Fluid Levels and Battery (Change the transmission fluid and coolant as needed, and the battery before it goes completely dead so your vehicle always functions properly)
Shop for a Used Vehicle at The Car Lot in Sudbury, ON
At The Car Lot, our extensive used inventory is sure to have the perfect used vehicle for you. Our team will help you find exactly what you’re looking for, and let you take test drives around Sudbury, ON, of those that you’re interested in purchasing. To get started, contact us today!