Car Dealerships in London Ontario
There are lots of car dealerships in London, Ontario to choose from. Before buying a car at any of the car dealers available, you have to make sure that you know exactly what you are getting into. For first-time car buyers, owning a car is a lot of responsibility. You have to make your car payments on time, and perform routine maintenance on your vehicle in order to make it last long after you've stopped making payments (if that's what you're hoping to do). As a general rule, cars (and trucks, SUVs, etc.) typically begin experiencing most mechanical issues after five years on the road, but that is dependant on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the level of care given to the car in question.
There are also lots of additional costs associated with car ownership. Of course, you need to keep your car pumped full of fuel, which is a significant cost in and of itself with gas prices as high as they currently are. Car insurance is another significant cost associated with vehicle ownership, and it can vary significantly based on your age, marital status, and the type of vehicle you own. Plus, you have to pay to make sure your car is legal to drive on the London, Ontario roads. Otherwise, you might run into some expensive tickets that could have been easily avoided.
Top Car Maintenance Tips for New and Used Car Owners
Whether you purchase a new or a used car from one of the many car dealerships in London Ontario, you will need to ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of simple things that you can do to maintain and preserve your vehicle to maximize its longevity.
1. Routine Oil Changes – If you want your vehicle to run well and last for many years, you need to be consistent about changing your vehicle's oil every six months or 5,000kms, whichever comes first. If you fail to keep up on these routing oil changes, the oil will thicken, and eventually clog up your engine.
2. Routine Tune Ups – How often should you get a tune-up on your vehicle? Actually, that depends on whether or not your car has a computerized electronic ignition. If it doesn’t, the vehicle will require a tune-up approximately once a year or every 15,000kms. If the vehicle does have a computerized electronic ignition, it's best to have a tune-up completed approximately every six months.
3. Even Tire Pressure – Driving on tires that are below their recommended tire pressure level will cost you in the long run when it comes to your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Ensuring that your tires are always at their recommended PSi level will result in smoother rides and save you money at the pumps.
4. Even Treaded Tires – While you're squatting down and checking the tire pressure or topping up the air in your tires, it's also very worthwhile to check out the tread level on your tires. Bald tires can lead to higher fuel costs and even highly dangerous traffic accidents as a worst-case scenario. While the cost of new tires every few years may sound expensive, car accidents are sure to cost a lot more.
5. Check Your Drive Belts – Your vehicle's Drive Belt is responsible for helping to give your car power. If you feel as though your car is lacking in the power department, it's probably time to check your Drive Belts.
6. Routine Fluid Changes – While we've already touched on the importance of routine oil changes, it's also critical to change and refill the brake fluid and transmission fluid in your vehicle. Without the functions performed by these important fluids, your car will eventually break down completely. As a general rule, you should change your transmission fluid approximately every 70,000kms. Likewise, your brake fluid should be changed approximately every two years.
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