Driving Tips to Make Vehicles Last in Lynchburg, TN

How to Make Your Car Last 200,000 Miles or More

The average vehicle on the road today has the potential to keep rolling along for as much as 200,000 miles. Some Kia models have even been known to reach 250,000 miles, but longevity is dependent upon more than the manufacturer’s engineering prowess. The biggest impact on how long your vehicle lasts is your driving and auto care habits. If you’re wondering what you can do to keep your vehicle on the road for 15 years or more, take a look at the tips below.

Get to Know Your Owner’s Manual

Pop open the glove compartment of any new model and you’ll find an owner’s manual that details everything from how to use the windshield wipers to how to care for the component of the vehicle. Become familiar with the auto care information included in your manual, paying close attention to the maintenance schedule. If you own a Kia vehicle, you can find a searchable, digital version of the owner’s manual online. Alternatively, download the Kia Owners app on your mobile device for easy access to all the information you need about your vehicle. You’ll find details about how often you should schedule an oil change, fluid replacement levels, when to get a wheel alignment, and more.

Follow the Rules of The Road

It might not seem like adhering to the rules of the road can impact the health of your vehicle, but shirking traffic laws can indeed shorten its life. Aside from the obvious increased risk of collisions and minor fender benders, ignoring traffic laws can indirectly cause undue wear and tear on your car. Below are just a few of the driving habits you should develop to protect it.

• Follow the Speed Limit – Everyone has had the experience of racing to work after doing a fireman-style leap to get ready. The impulse to speed the whole way to the timeclock is strong, but for the sake of your vehicle, it’s best if you resist it, especially since speeding is unlikely to shave more than a few seconds off of your trip. Driving too fast can cause engine strain, decreased fuel efficiency, excess tire wear, and even increase the risk of mechanical failure.
• Brake Gently – Speeding can also result in the need to slam on the brakes, which can also damage your vehicle. Hard braking is something that will happen occasionally regardless of how carefully you drive, but making a habit of it will lead to excessive wear and tear on your brake components, tires, and chassis.
• Go Easy on the Gas Pedal – Rapid Acceleration can cause stress on your engine, transmission, and cause air-fuel ratio errors. While you won’t see immediate damage from hard acceleration, it’s still best to gently increase your speed to protect your car from the long-term effects.

Wash Your Car Often

Keeping your car sparkling clean isn’t just for aesthetics. Dirt and grime that accumulates on your paint job or the undercarriage of your vehicle can be corrosive, causing rust, or even failure to certain components. How often you wash your vehicle depends on several factors such as:

• How long your commute is
• Whether or not you park outside
• Weather in your area
• The amount of dust, pollen, or sand in your area

Use Your Parking Brake

Did you know that the average weight of vehicles in America is over two tons. When you park your vehicle, a great deal of that weight rests on your transmission. Supporting more than 4,000 pounds on a regular basis, slowly wears down your transmission, but there’s a simple way to prevent this issue – engaging your parking brake. When you use your parking brake the weight of the vehicle rests on the brake instead of the transmission.

Use these tips and guidelines to help get the most out of your vehicle, and when it’s time to schedule service, visit us at the Kia of Lynchburg service center.