As the calendar turns over into a new year, most people will make a few resolutions about how they want to improve themselves in the months ahead. Often these goals might have to do with saving more money or making more financially sound decisions. If you're still trying to come up with another resolution, one idea could be to resolve to stick to a regular maintenance plan on your car. Taking the car into the auto repair shop does cost money, but regular maintenance will help prevent larger problems that could end up costing you money in the long run. 

Actually Get Your Oil Changed When You're Supposed To

Most people are told about the virtues of changing their engine oil on a regular basis as soon as they are old enough to drive. But far too often, people like to push their car just a little further in between oil changes. This can be especially true if you don't drive your car that often. But even if you are not putting a lot of miles on the car, you should still change the oil out every 6 months for best results, or as directed by your owner's manual.

If you want to get really serious about this for the new year, call your local auto shop, like Blue Valley Garage, and schedule appointments in advance, all throughout the new year. They'll probably appreciate the guarantee of repeat business and so will your car's engine.

Check Your Tire Pressure Every Other Trip To The Gas Station

If you tend to put a lot of miles on your car, you should be spending extra close attention to your tires for signs of wear and tear on the tread and the overall pressure. Even if you don't drive that much, you should be mindful of tire pressure when the weather turns cold. In order to maximize the life of your tires and avoid having to get a costly set of replacements far too soon, keep your tires at their suggested pressure by topping them off at every other trip to your local gas station.

Come Up With A Plan for Washing Your Car And Stick To It

It's not just the inside of your car that you should be concerned about. Going too long in between trips to the car wash can take a heavy toll on your car's exterior. All of that grime can cause your car's color to start fading over time. Get your car into a car wash once a month or better yet, hire a professional detailer to give your entire car, inside and out, a professional cleaning once every few months.

If you're looking to save a few bucks in the New Year, one way you could possibly do this would be to actually shell out a few bucks taking better care of your car, inside and out. Regular maintenance and washing will help prevent problems from sucking your bank account dry.

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