Resolve to Become a Better Vehicle Owner

Regular car maintenance is a resolution that can start with a single visit to the shop in January. At Weatherspoon Automotive, our technicians can determine a maintenance plan for your vehicle in 2018. If your car did not receive any service in 2017, a prioritized plan for maintenance that fits your budget can be made on your first visit of the year; for example, brake service can come first along with tire pressure check and an oil change if necessary. The condition of the radiator and heater can be checked to ensure that they will not present problems during the winter. If your drive a Honda or Toyota with reasonable mileage, there is a good chance that your car will hold up well for a few months until other services are needed.

Improve Your Driving

The way you drive your car in 2018 could determine how much longer it will last and how often it will need to return to the shop. The key is to keep in mind the purpose and capacity of your vehicle model. Spirited driving is something that a Porsche or BMW can certainly handle, but the same cannot be said about a Ford Focus unless it is a sporty model like the RS or ST; if you push a mainstream compact car beyond its limits, it will end up in the shop more often. Likewise, it is fine for a Honda Fit to transport three passengers on daily commutes, but once you sign up for Uber service in downtown Raleigh several hours a day, your car will certainly take a toll. Virtually all cars can handle sudden accelerations, aggressive turns and braking, but only those that are built for performance will sustain this type of driving on a constant basis.

Buying Pre-Owned Cars

Auto sales analysts are predicting that the first quarter of 2018 may be a good time for buyers looking for bargain deals on used cars. For most of 2017, new car sales greatly outpaced sales of previously owned vehicles, which means that this is market has reached a saturation point. If you are looking for a second vehicle either for yourself or for a household member, you may want to keep an eye on the online classified marketplaces and dealer lots. Recent history has shown that some of the best used car bargains tend to appear at the peak of an economic period of prosperity and at during the worst part of a recession; at this moment, the national economy is on the tail end of a recovery, which makes it easier to find used car deals. Remember to let Weatherspoon Automotive technicians evaluate your used car purchase to ensure that it can be tuned up to its best condition in 2018.

Pamper Your Car

As long as you are good to your vehicle in 2018, your vehicle will reciprocate and be good to you the entire year, which means paying attention to certain aspects such as the “check engine” light, timing belts, wheel alignment, transmission, and suspension system. Don’t be afraid to ask auto technicians about the repairs and services that could make your car last longer and perform more efficiently. If you plan to do a lot more driving in 2018, you may want to start with a trip to the shop; this would be particularly useful if you plan to use your vehicle to earn more money in the burgeoning field of delivering goods and meals.

In the end, you should keep in mind that the resolution of providing regular care to your vehicle this year will likely pay off well beyond 2018.