How to Make Your Car Last Forever: Avoid Expensive Repairs, Improve Fuel Economy, Understand Your Warranty, Save Money

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display cracks, glazing, or missing ribs (on serpentine belts) need to be replaced.


Cooling System


In addition to cooling the engine, the cooling system also protects it from
freezing up. The coolant should be a 50-50 mix of coolant and water. This ratio
gives a cold weather protection of –30 to –35° F. Have the coolant protection
checked every year just before the start of winter. If the coolant tests out above
the protection level, have the system flushed and refilled with a fresh 50-50 mix.


Don’t Rock the Boat


Trying to “rock” the car out of deep snow is not good medicine. Let’s say your
car is stuck in deep snow. In an effort to get it out, you start rocking the car back
and forth, accelerating first in drive then in reverse, in order to gain momentum.
Do you have any idea what you are doing to the drivetrain of your car? The
transmission and drivetrain are being stressed to the nth degree. Internal parts
break under this pressure. CV joints, universal joints, and splined parts such as
axles are also put under extreme stress and could break. Save yourself some
money: dig out or get towed.


Steering and Suspension Damage


Another problem that occurs frequently during the winter season is suspension
breakage caused when a driver overshoots a corner and slams into the curb. Ball
joints, control arms, tie rods, and strut assemblies fall victim to curb damage. In
addition, it’s important to remember that, with front-wheel drive cars, you also
have drivetrain components that get damaged (half shafts, CV joints, front hub
assemblies, transmission tail shafts, and front differentials). Slow down when
negotiating those turns during winter months.

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