At our PHL parking facility, we offer a full line of car maintenance from the experts at Maaco. That means that while you’re away on your vacation or business trip, we’ll not only look after your car, we’ll fix it, if necessary. In the meantime, check out these tips that can help extend the life of your car:
1. Don’t continuously idle.
Many people let their cars idle in the winter in order for them to warm up, but this isn’t a good idea. First of all, idling for just 10 seconds uses as much fuel as starting up your car. Second, idling causes an incomplete combustion of fuel, which can lead to damages over time. The best way to warm up your car is to drive it.
2. Properly inflate your tires.
It’s important to inflate your tires to the right PSI (pounds per square inch). Over-inflated tires can be more easily damaged if you run over pot holes or debris. They also won’t grip the road as much, which can be dangerous during wet weather. Under-inflated tires, on the other hand, can greatly reduce the tire’s tread life and fuel economy.
3. Lighten up your keychain.
In addition to keys, people keep an array of things on their keychains such as key tags, mini flashlights, charms, and more - but the heavier your keychain, the more damage it could do to the tumblers in your ignition. Lighten up your keychain and don’t let so much weight hang off of your ignition key.
4. Wash your car in the winter.
It’s cold out during the winter, so many people don’t bother to wash their car, however ice and slush can mix with salt on the road and can make your car rust more easily. If you don’t give your car a full wash, at least rinse it off well with warm water.
5. Check your brake fluid.
Pay attention to the level of your brake fluid on a regular basis. If it’s below the full line, top it off. Just make sure you don’t use brake fluid from a container that’s already been opened - it can be contaminated.
6. Pay attention to your weatherstripping.
To get the best protection out of your car doors and windows, rub a rubber-based protectant on their weatherstripping to preserve the seals. If the stripping is old, make sure it’s not letting water leak into your car. If it is, you can use a brush-on sealer to fix small leaks. For bigger leaks, your weatherstripping may need to be replaced. Just leave it to us!
7. Park in a shaded area.
The UV rays from the sun can fade and damage your exterior paint and parts of your interior, so park in a garage or another shady area. If you can only park in the sun, invest in a car shade; you can find them in a folded version or ones that attach to your windows or window frames with adhesive.
8. Preserve your paint.
The best way to preserve your paint is to wax your car. The best and long-lasting type of wax to use is paste wax with lots of carnauba wax (as opposed to liquid and spray waxes). When you wax your car, be sure to apply an extra coat to the hood and front of your car, since the wax wears off in these areas first.
9. Change your filters.
Be sure to change out your oil filter every time you change your oil. Changing it every other time leaves old, dirty oil in the filter to mix with the new oil. Also change your air filter every 2-3 months. If you have a lifelong air filter, wash it or blow it clean with an air compressor.
10. Replace your timing belt.
Most people forget about their timing belt, but be sure to check your owner’s manual. If it recommends replacing it after a certain number of miles, replace it. If your timing belt snaps, it can cause thousands of dollars in damage and can even total your car.
If you’re interested in our car maintenance services, simply let us know when you make a PHL parking reservation. All you’ll need to do is leave a contact number for us to call.