New Year's Resolutions for Your Car 0 Comments

Start Your Car Off Right this New Year’s with These Resolutions

New Years is a time for reflection and resolution… a good time to make positive change and improve your life. But New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be just about yourself. It’s a great opportunity to make some resolutions for your car and setting up a proper maintenance schedule.

The resolutions below are beyond the normal routine maintenance, such as changing the oil, checking your tires, and cleaning the air filter. Whether you have a manual transmission or an automatic transmission, the suggested services below by the experts at Best Western Transmission can go a long way to keep your car running safely and in top form.

Transmission Fluid Transference

This one largely depends on your car’s manufacturer’s suggestion, but a good rule of thumb is to flush the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. When was the last time you had a power flush transmission service? Transmission fluid deteriorates over time and needs to be replaced. Poor quality transmission fluid and low fluid levels will cause shifting problems. Prolonged use in this condition can cause serious damage to your transmission. We highly recommend having this performed by a certified transmission repair shop like Best Western Transmission. At the very least, you should have your transmission fluid checked during routine maintenance.

Sweet Heat Relief

Winter is coming, and you need to make sure your car’s cooling system is optimized. It does more than keep your car from overheating. The cooling system generates the heat for the cabin and the defroster. While antifreeze has anti-corrosion elements in it, that doesn’t mean that corrosion and scaling can’t accumulate. Have the cooling system flushed and replenished with coolant according to your car’s manufacturer guidelines to keep the heat down in the engine and the heat flowing inside the car.

Brake Check Your Car

We’re talking about a thorough assessment of the brake fluid, pads, shoes, and rotors, and there’s no skimping here. Check the hydraulic brake system and fluid and top it off if it is low. Most car manufacturers recommend replacing brake fluid every 20,000-45,000 miles.

The brake pads and shoes are supposed to wear down, and if they wear too much, your car will let you know with an awful scratching sound when you engage the brakes. Make it a resolution to check them this New Year’s, but pads and shoes working optimally should last up to 50,000 miles.

Like the pads and shoes, the brake rotors sustain a lot of friction, which can cause them to warp. If this is the case, they will need to be resurfaced. This usually takes a long time to happen, so if your car is around the 50,000-mile mark, be sure to have them inspected.

Think Positive About Your Battery

Batteries always die at the most inconvenient time, and here in Colorado Springs, it usually happens on the coldest of winter days. Your car battery will eventually wear out, but most batteries last about 5 years. Many factors determine how long it will last, such as extreme temperatures, the age of the battery, and extended periods of non-use. Unless you know your battery is relatively new, a good resolution to make this New Year’s is to have your battery tested. It’s also a great time to clean the terminals of any dirt or corrosion.

Maintaining a vehicle can be expensive and time-consuming. We recommend working with a reliable and certified repair shop like Best Western Transmission to prolong the life of your car, minimize costly repairs, and keep it in safe running condition. While you’re working off all the holiday treats at the gym, make your car’s maintenance one of your top New Year’s resolutions.

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