At the age of 26, Dave Ramsey was bringing home a quarter of a million dollars a year and had a $4 million real estate portfolio. Two years later he lost everything. Today Ramsey, 58, is one of America’s most trusted sources for financial advice. His syndicated radio program, "The Dave Ramsey Show," is the among the top five talk radio shows in the United States, and is heard by 13 million listeners each week on more than 600 radio stations, according to Ramsey's website. Keep Your Car Running Nearly Forever We know you are anxious to drive your new used car off of the lot and show it to your family and friends. But how long will you own this beautiful pre-owned vehicle? That depends on how well you take care of it. A pre-owned vehicle requires more attention than a new vehicle to keep it in good shape. Even though used cars today are better made and better maintained than those a decade or so ago, they still need on-going care to keep them running at tip-top condition. If you do regular maintenance, you’ll keep it running past the national average of 11.4 years. Here are a few tips to help you keep your pre-owned vehicle in tip-top shape. Check Oil Regularly If there is one important job to do for your new pre-owned vehicle it is to provide a regular oil change. This routine maintenance especially in a used or older vehicle keeps its moving parts well-lubricated and prevents damage. It’s an easy job. When your car is cool and on a level flat surface, wipe the dipstick clean and then dip it all the way to get an accurate reading. If need be, add a quart of oil each time; too much and you’ll harm the engine. Oil and Air Filter Change Changing the oil and air filters is another routine maintenance job. If the oil that drains out is jet black and peppered with white flakes, there is something wrong with the engine. If you find chunks of metal in the drained oil, it’s another sign of a problem. To remedy the problem, drain the oil and replace the filters and refill with synthetic oil. That will help to get rid of any sludge. Take the car for a quick drive and drain the oil. Do this several times until the oil drains clear. Inspect the Cooling System One of the most critical and crucial parts of your car is its cooling system. Its health will determine the longevity and performance of your used vehicle. No matter the season, hoses that carry coolant in your car’s engine go through wear and tear. Both the water pump and heater hoses need to be regularly replaced or your car will breakdown. What’s a sign when they need to be replaced? A green liquid (antifreeze) will trickle out of the water pumps or you’ll see a fluid leaking under your vehicle. It’s best to change the coolant every 24,000-30,000 miles. Bleed the Brakes At least once every two years, bleed the brakes to keep the calipers and other parts in good condition. When you do the job, look and see if the fluid runs amber, clear of particles. That shows that the brake system is in good condition. On the other hand, if the brake fluid is dark black with pieces of rubber, you’ll need to replace the rubber brake lines and check the rotors. Wash Your Car Regularly Your pre-owned vehicle might have been out in the weather before you purchased it. Now that you are the new owner, take care of it and get a regular car wash. It will help you determine if there are any spots that need to be fixed. Take the time to wax your car, too. This adds a protective layer and keeps the paint job looking nice and protects it from rust and corrosion. Get your tires rotated. Did you know you can easily extend the life of your tires just by rotating them every so often? It’s true! All four tires on your car do not wear down in the same way. Sometimes the front or back set of tires can wear down at different rates depending on your car, your speed and your roads. Rotate those tires and you can extend their life and save yourself $400 to $800 for a brand-new set of four. Take a Close Look After you’ve driven your pre-owned vehicle for a while, you’ll know how it drives and will surely notice if you’ve put any small bumps or scratches on it. Our tip is to spend about five to ten minutes inspecting your car every now and then. Look and see how your tires are wearing. Open the hood and inspect the hoses and engine. Make sure that all of your exterior lights are working properly. Not only will it help you to diagnose any problems but it will ensure that you are not stopped by the police and get a ticket. Do the emissions inspection. Depending on the state or even county you live in, your car may be required to pass a state emissions inspection aka a smog check. By keeping up with the necessary car maintenance on your vehicle, it should pass with flying colors. But if it doesn’t get a gold star, that’s something you want to know too. The emissions facility will tell you what failed and what needs to be fixed in order to fully pass the inspection. Keep Your Pre-Owned Vehicle Undercover If it is possible, keep your pre-owned vehicle stored in a garage or under a carport or cover. This will help to keep your car, paint, and interior out of the sun’s harmful rays. It will also keep your pre-owned vehicle away from bird droppings or tree sap. In the winter, it will keep your car safe from the local snow removal trucks. Plus, it will help to avoid scratches or dings on your pre-owned vehicle from other car owners.
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