Attaining the best operating temperature

Today’s automobiles don’t need to warm up like the older model cars used to.
Older model cars used to take 5-10 minutes to warm-up, but with new cars it is best to get your car to its proper operating temperature as quickly as possible. Accelerate, steer, and brake gently for the first few minutes after you start your car, and once the engine temperature has been raised you can drive normally.

Follow the manufacturer vehicle maintenance schedule

Every car comes with a maintenance manual that outlines the scheduled times for your car’s maintenance. Changing your oil, filters, spark plugs, and other components according to your car’s specific needs will keep your car or truck running better and longer.

Shifting

Always come to a complete stop before you shift into reverse from drive, or drive from reverse. If you don’t come to a complete stop, you substantially degrade the life of your automatic transmission.  Transmissions are a very costly repair.

Parking on hills

To avoid a costly mistake that many people make, use the parking brake when you’re parked on a hill.

A small pin in your transmission locks it into place when you’re in park. If you’re on a hill, that small pin is the only thing holding your car in place. By using your parking brake, you take the stress off of your transmission.

Try to keep your fuel tank full

When fuel is pumped from an empty tank, the fuel may also carry water, debris, oxygen and deposits into the fuel line  and into the the fuel filter and fuel pump.  Moreover, debris build-up in the injectors can cause poor milage and engine operation. As such it is always best to top-off your tank anytime it’s less than 1/3 full. Allowing your tank to run dry or low will build up deposits on the bottom that can lead to problems.

Beware of Additives

Unless your auto manufacturer or technician recommends a product, it’s generally unwise to put additives into your oil, transmission fluid, or gasoline. There are delicate chemical balances that could be disrupted by adding these kinds of products.