- 01/25/17
- 2 Min Read
- By: Noah Jenkins
The Importance of Prioritizing Maintenance After a Used Car Purchase
Often the best deals on used cars can be had from ones that need a little work, or TLC. These cars can make a solid foundation for the perfect daily driver or simply a nice hobby car for those that you enjoy wrenching in the garage on the weekends. One thing that is key after purchasing your new-used vehicle is to prioritize maintenance items and fix things accordingly.
Many of us can get the “mod bug” shortly after a car purchase. While it's great to personalize a new car with a new set of wheels, perhaps a bigger exhaust or extensive ECU tuning…all of that would instantly become meaningless if, for example, your timing belt broke! Make maintenance a priority so you can keep it on the road and then let the sky be the limit to what you can do.
Do “Stage 0” before Stage 1, 2, 3 etc.
You’ll often read about or hear about doing “Stage 0” – what does this actually mean? Stage 0 is basically an ignition tune-up on your vehicle. For most modern cars this would include replacing items such as: spark plugs, ignition coils, air filter(s), and the fuel filter. On some older vehicles, such as the P80 chassis Volvos through 1998, a distributor cap, distributor rotor and ignition wires are in place of the ignition coils. FCP sells tune-up kits for many different vehicles that will include all of the usual stage 0 items.
Of course, it should go without saying to replace your timing belt and associated components if their suggested interval is approaching or has passed. Timing belt failure can mean a new head on the engine…in the best-case scenario!
Change Your Fluids
An engine oil and filter change at regular intervals on your new vehicle is of critical importance. Fluids such as engine coolant, differential fluid and transmission fluid can often be neglected by non-enthusiast owners. In some cases manufacturers brand fluids as “lifetime” which seems to be the truth only if you bought the vehicle new and owned it a few years! Brake fluid is also something you should bleed and replace every 2-3 years.
Sometimes the drain and fill process for fluids for the differential and transmission can be a little tricky and require you to use a pump to transfer the fluid into the fill hole as you can not simply pour it in. Other than that, the process is as straight forward as an oil change.
Brakes
Having good, solid brakes on your car is a matter of safety. Look at your pads and rotors to check their thickness. If you hear any metallic sound when applying the brakes or if your rotors appear “glazed” (having a very shiny contact surface); replace them. It’s always good idea to replace your pads and rotors at the same time. However, in a pinch, you can have the rotors turned and just replacing the pads.
Inspect your brake lines as well for any cracking or cuts in the rubber. Overtime, this could lead to failure if a line ruptures. Even if there is no significant cracking, if the car is over 10 years old, replace them.
If you are considering adding significantly more power or plan on taking your vehicle to the track, you may want to look into seeing what BBKs (Big Brake Kits) can be easily retrofitted onto your vehicle.