Driving Tips to Make Your Vehicle Last in Huntersville, NC

How to Have a Long-Lasting Vehicle

Mazda builds reliable, durable vehicles capable of staying on the road for 200,000 miles or more. However, reaching the 200,000-mile marker takes more than superior engineering. As a vehicle owner, there are things you can do to protect your investment, and make sure you’re getting as many years and miles out of it as possible. Follow these steps to ensure your vehicle last as long as the brand intended.

Proper Maintenance is Crucial

The best thing that you can do to improve the longevity of your vehicle is to follow a strict maintenance routine. As soon as you purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle, get familiar with the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner’s manual of your vehicle. Follow the manufacturer recommended intervals for maintenance tasks such as oil changes, fluid replacement, inspections for belts and hoses, and tire and wheel care. All of these things can have a heavy impact on how well your vehicle performs as it ages.

Be Gentle on Your Car

Your driving habits can affect your vehicle just as much as your maintenance practices, so be conscious of how you operate your vehicle. Follow these driving tips to protect your vehicle’s engine, chassis, brakes, and more.

• Avoid Hard Braking – There will probably come a time in every driver’s life where slamming on the brakes is necessary. However, making it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. Not only can it cause safety issues, it can also lead to excessive wear and tear on the components in your brake system. Stay focused while driving and start slowing down earlier to reduce the need for hard braking.
• Drive at Moderate Speeds – Did you know that speeding doesn’t save nearly as much time as you might believe. When driving in town, red lights, traffic jams, and stop signs generally slow you down enough that by the time you’ve reached your destination, you’ve only shaved off a few seconds from your trip. Depending on how fast you drive and how many times the excess speed required you to slam on the brakes, you might have shaved miles off of your vehicle life. Extreme speeds increase engine strain, accelerates tire wear, decreases fuel efficiency, and heightens the risk of mechanical failures. So, even when you’re running late, it’s best to drive at a moderate speed.
• Don’t Accelerate Too Quickly – Zero-to-60 speed is one of the metrics makers of performance cars use to express the vehicle's prowess and capability. We’ll admit, it’s natural to want to test it out at least once, but pedal-to-the-metal acceleration is just as damaging as hard braking.

Heed Warning Lights

Flashing red and orange lights on your dashboard can be unnerving, but they don’t have to be. Get to know what they mean and whenever you notice one, investigate and make repairs or adjustments as soon as possible.

Always Use Your Parking Brake

Most people know to use their parking brake on a steep incline, but it should be a regular habit. Parking brakes are more than just a safety measure; they take the vehicle's weight off the transmission, reducing unnecessary wear and tear.

Adopting these driving and maintenance habits can help you keep your wheels on the road for 200,000 miles or more.