Monday, January 6, 2014

New Year's Resolutions for You and your Car

Shed a few pounds. Hit the gym. Read more. Get more sleep. There are a lot of New Year's resolutions that we make every year, and whether we stick to them or not is up in the air. This year, while you strive to improve yourself, why not strive to improve your car, too?

Too many people have bad habits when it comes to car maintenance. Here at Gentilini, as one of the prominent car dealerships in South Jersey, we see it all the time: people who have gone six months without an oil change; brakes worn down to the metal; dangerously old windshield wipers… you name it. This year, save yourself money on repairs and keep yourself safe with a few car-friendly New Year's resolutions. At the end of the year, you'll see how doing routine maintenance actually saves you money in the long run.

Resolution 1: Keep Tires Full and Happy
How often do you think about your tire pressure? If they don't look flat, then you probably don't. That being said, making sure your tires are fully inflated is budget-friendly. Happy tires make for better gas mileage, better traction (especially in the snow!), and longer-lasting tires. Who wouldn't want that? Visit your local gas station – air pumps and PSI gauges are usually free, so you have no reason not to stick to this one.

Resolution 2: Get Regular Oil Changes
You've probably heard this one time and time again, so we're only going to say it once: get your oil changed every 7,000 miles! Going too long without an oil change can cause engine issues that are way more expensive than the service itself.

Resolution 3: Keep her Clean
Make your car a no-eating and no-smoking zone, and it'll stay cleaner and better-smelling. Who wants to sit in a two-hour commute in a car that smells like cheeseburgers and cigarettes? Not you, and most definitely not your passengers. Plus, eating at the wheel is distracted driving, and it only takes one time to teach you that lesson. Also, make sure to take one piece of trash out of your car every time you leave. It's an easy way to keep it clean without making it feel like a chore.

Resolution 4: Partake in Car Share
If you live in a city and don't drive very often, you could list your car on a car-sharing marketplace. You could make money just by letting someone use your car while you're not! It's an easy way to make a few bucks while doing your part for the environment.

Resolution 5: Get Rid of the Junker
If you've been driving around an unreliable car for way too long, why not make it your resolution to save up for something better? You can trade the junker in for some cash toward a newer, more fuel-efficient, and more reliable vehicle, which will make your daily commute seem like less of a drag.