Take care of your car.

Today, Americans are keeping their cars longer than ever.  If you want to keep your car running as long as possible, then there are certain maintenance tasks that you cannot afford to skip.  Here's what you should do to improve the longevity of your car.

• Keep Up with Regular Service Appointments

Cars need to be serviced at regular intervals to ensure that things continue to run smoothly.  For instance, you should have your oil changed every 5,000 miles or so.  Your car's other fluids also need to be replaced on a regular basis.  For instance, your brake fluid needs to be flushed out and replaced every two years to ensure that your car can stop properly.  Additionally, your transmission fluid should be replaced every 25,000 to 30,000 miles.  Keeping track of these routine maintenance tasks will ensure that your car remains in good shape for as long as possible.

• Address Auto Recalls Promptly

While they sound scary, auto recalls happen pretty frequently and are usually very easy to address.  Unfortunately, many car owners either ignore recall notices or are not aware of current recalls on their vehicles.  When you fail to get recall issues repaired, then this can put unnecessary stress on your vehicle, causing it to wear down much faster.  In some cases, failing to address recall repairs could mean that your car is a ticking bomb, and it's only a matter of time before it breaks down.  This is why you should always take action when you receive a recall notice.  Please remember that sometimes notices get lost.  To ensure that there aren't any recalls out on your car, experts recommend running your VIN through SaferCar.gov at least twice a year to see if it is under recall.

• Follow the Advice in Your Owner's Manual

Many car owners never bother reading through their car's owner manual.  However, you might be surprised by how much useful information is located in this booklet.  For instance, your owner's manual will cover information such as how often you need oil changes, what your optimum tire pressure is, and so on.  By following the manufacturer's service recommendations included in your car's manual, you can keep your car in top condition for years and years to come. These are some of the things that you can do to keep your car in tip-top shape.  Want another way to take care of your car?  Then make sure you have the proper auto insurance protections in place.  For assistance with all your car coverage needs, contact the experts at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California, today.