Wish your car could last 20 years and sell for top dollar? These 7 tips will save you a fortune!
Your car’s more than just a ride—it’s a big chunk of change. With some TLC, you can keep it humming for 200,000 miles or more, dodge pricey repair bills, and get a sweet deal when you’re ready to sell. We’ve seen it firsthand: some vehicles are still kicking at 15 years in age because their owners learned these lessons the hard way. Here are seven dead-simple ways to make your vehicle last longer and hold its value. Plus, we’ll share Openbay+ with you, an online platform that’s been a lifesaver for keeping cars in top shape.
1. Stick to Maintenance Like It’s Your Job
Missing oil changes or skipping vehicle multi-point inspections is like eating fast food every day—your car’s going to suffer. Get oil changes every 5,000–7,500 miles, swap air filters every couple of years, and book a yearly multi-point inspection, similar to your annual doctor’s checkup. A mechanic caught a tiny coolant leak on one of our customer’s vehicles that could’ve fried their engine. Routine inspections will save you from $1,000 surprises.
2. Drive Like You’re Chilling
Some drivers like to accelerate when a light turns green or want to race a vehicle on a highway, thinking it was cool. Spoiler: it’s not. Hard acceleration and slamming brakes wear out your engine, tires, and brakes twice as fast. Ease into starts, coast to stops, and drive at or near the posted speed limit and keep the revving and racing for the racetrack. Your car will age slower, and you’ll burn less gas.
3. Wash It Like You Mean It
A dirty car isn’t just an eyesore—it’s a slow death. Road salt and grime eat away at paint and metal, while a messy interior tanks resale value. Wash your car every few weeks, wax it in spring and fall, and vacuum the seats to keep it sharp. Clean cars can sell for 10–15% more, and it’s stupid easy to do.
4. Treat Your Tires Right
Tires are your car’s shoes—neglect them, and you’re in trouble. Low pressure kills fuel efficiency and chews up treads. Check your tires monthly with a $10 gauge (pro tip: your door jamb lists the right PSI). Rotate tires every 6,000 miles or so. It’s a small effort that adds years to your tires and keeps you safe.
5. Don’t Ignore the Weird Stuff
That squeak, rattle, or sluggish start? It’s your car begging for help. One customer ignored a grinding noise when they stepped on the brake pedal and ended up with a $1,200 brake job. If your check-engine light’s on or something feels off, get it checked ASAP. Early fixes are cheap; late ones aren’t.
6. Splurge on Good Parts
Don’t learn the hard way: cheap oil and knockoff parts are a scam. They wear out fast and hurt your engine. Stick to what your car’s manual recommends—synthetic oil, OEM filters, the good stuff. The upfront cost pays off.
7. Find a Mechanic You’d Trust With Your Wallet
A great mechanic is gold. They’ll spot problems early and not upsell you on junk you don’t need. But finding one? That’s the tricky part. That’s why we recommend using Openbay, and it’s been a game-changer. Its free to sign up and use.
How Openbay+ Saves Your Car (and Your Sanity)
Car care can feel like a second job, but Openbay makes it brain-dead simple. Openbay offers a premium subscription service that applies discounts to parts and labor. The savings more than covers the annual subscription. Customers save hundreds to thousands of dollars annually, and their level of stress is near zero when servicing their vehicle. It’s like having a car-savvy friend who’s always got your back.
Want your car to outlast your neighbor’s? Head to Openbay.com and sign up for Openbay+ to keep your ride in top shape!
These seven tips—stick to maintenance, drive chill, keep it clean, check tires, listen for issues, use quality parts, and find a solid mechanic—will keep your car running strong and its value high. With Openbay+, it’s easier than ever to stay on top of it all. Don’t wait for a breakdown to care—start now and keep your car on the road for years.
Hop over to Openbay.com and join Openbay+ to make car care a breeze.