8 New Year’s Resolutions to Keep Your Car Running and Looking Great

This past year had a lot of ups and downs, just like a rollercoaster ride. You’re probably ready to forget that year altogether and move forward into the new year with some resolutions.

If you’re like most people, you’ll likely come up with some traditional ideas, such as shedding a couple of pounds or hitting the gym more often. But you might also want to add a couple of car care goals to the agenda.

After all, your car is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and you want to keep it running and looking its best for many years.

8 New Year’s Car Care Resolutions to Consider

Much like sticking to a gym routine or healthy eating, staying on top of car care can be a challenge. Regular upkeep is well worth the effort, though, because it helps keep your vehicle running better, longer.

Here are some car care goals to consider adding to your list of New Year’s resolutions:

1. Check Your Car’s Fluids More Often 

Be honest with yourself—when’s the last time you took a moment to check your car’s fluids? Chances are, you probably only check (or have your mechanic check) the underhood fluids when changing the oil.

For the new year, consider making it a goal to inspect your vehicle’s fluids more often. It’s a good idea to check the underhood fluids at least once a week. You can usually check your engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid (if your car has a dipstick), power steering fluid (if equipped), and coolant from under the hood.

Note: You should never remove the cooling system cap to check the coolant level while the engine is hot. Severe injury may result. 

Many vehicles also have fluids (e.g., differential fluid) that must be checked from underneath the car. If you have the know-how, you can safely support your vehicle on jack stands and check these fluids yourself. Otherwise, you can ask your mechanic to do the job for you.

It’s a good idea to check your under-car fluids at each oil change or once every few months if your car has an extended oil change interval.

2. Stay Up-to-Date on Routine Maintenance

Staying up-to-date on routine maintenance, such as changing fluids and replacing filters, is the best way to prolong your car’s service life. Unfortunately, when you’re dealing with work, the kids—and everything else in your busy life—car care tends to be the last thing on your mind.

While it’s doubtful that you’ll be any less busy this year, you can commit to making routine maintenance more of a priority in the future. To remind yourself when service is due, it’s a good idea to put notes on your calendar (or in your smartphone). You’ll also want to keep a maintenance log.

But wait—how do you know what maintenance is due for your car and when? You can find the information listed in your owner’s manual or supplemental service booklet.

3. Stop Putting Off Car Repairs

Putting off repairs is a bad habit that can end up creating more problems and a bigger repair bill. So, if you’ve been ignoring that check engine light or turning up the radio to drown out abnormal noises, now’s the time to stop and get serious about car care. Your vehicle and your wallet will thank you.

4. Clean the Interior and Exterior Regularly

Trash and clutter can accumulate quickly inside your car. It all starts when you toss some drive-thru napkins into the glovebox one day, and some used water bottles into the back seat the next. Then, it eventually hits you—your car has become a rolling landfill. At the same time, you realize the exterior hasn’t been washed in months. How embarrassing.

To avoid having a cluttered and dirty car, consider making a resolution to keep both the interior and exterior clean. Each time you exit the vehicle, take any trash or loose items with you to keep the cabin clutter-free. You’ll also want to set up a routine to clean both the interior and the exterior weekly or biweekly.

You might even want to consider doing a little detailing here and there (for example, waxing and polishing the finish). A little TLC goes a long way.

5. Keep Your Cabin Organized

A disheveled interior can make your vehicle less enjoyable and leave you struggling to find important items. Start your new year out right by making a commitment to keep everything organized.

Of course, you’ll want to begin by cleaning the interior and removing any unnecessary items. Then, you can get creative with some organizational hacks. For example, you might want to install some hanging organizers or use folders to arrange the documents in your glove box.

6. Check Your Tires and Tire Pressure More Often

Not only does proper tire maintenance improve tread life, but it also bumps up your car’s fuel economy and improves ride characteristics. The problem is that tires are boring (let’s be honest) and easily forgotten, so you probably don’t care for them as well as you should.

It’s a good idea to check the condition and pressure of your car’s tires at least once a month. Start by looking for any obvious signs of damage, such as bubbles in the sidewall or chunks of missing rubber, which indicate an immediate need for replacement. You’ll also want to use a dedicated gauge to check the tread depth.

Next, you can move on to checking your tire pressure. Overinflation can make your tires more susceptible to impact damage and cause them to wear out quickly. On the other hand, underinflation can make your tires wear out quickly, reduce fuel economy, and increase the chance of a blowout. 

You should always inflate your tires to the recommended pressure, which is listed on a placard inside the driver’s side door jamb.

7. Keep Your Gas Tank Topped Off

If you regularly drive around with your car’s gas tank nearly empty, now is the time to kick that bad habit. Driving with a depleted gas tank causes the fuel pump to run hotter (due to lack of lubrication) and work harder. The pump is also more likely to pick up any debris that has accumulated at the bottom of the tank.

In other words: Driving around with a nearly empty gas tank can shorten the fuel pump’s life. Start making it a habit to keep your car’s gas tank at least 1/4 full at all times.

8. Improve Your Driving Habits

One excellent goal for this new year is to improve your driving habits. Experts agree that accelerating and stopping smoothly is the best way to maximize fuel economy and extend vehicle service life. When driving on the freeway, you’ll also want to travel at the speed limit (or slightly under it) and utilize cruise control whenever possible to stay consistent.

Commit to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

Studies show that only about 8% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions. This year, defy the odds and stick to both your personal goals and your car care goals. Doing so will help you live better and keep your car running stronger this year and beyond.

Where to Get High-Quality Parts and Accessories for Your Ride

Whether you’re looking to keep your cargo in organizers or upgrade your tires with performance replacements, CarParts.com has you covered. We’ve partnered with the best manufacturers in the industry to provide auto parts that are worth your time and money.

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So start the new year with a bang and get the best deals at CarParts.com today!