Maintenance and Repairs after buy your car, and whether it’s new or used—um, pre-owned—there’s a lot more to know about ownership than how much your monthly payment costs. There’s maintenance to consider; take care of your car and it’ll take care of you. What kind of upkeep will it require, and what can you—and should you—do yourself? Sooner or later your ride will need new shoes, and you’ll need to make a decision on tires. And there are simple ways to make your car’s current set of donuts last longer. If it’s an older model, you might just need a jump start when the battery begins to run down. How do you do that safely? A clean, shiny ride will make you feel good—and help you maintain your car’s maximum value—so what’s the best way to keep it looking sharp over the long haul? You can find the answers to these questions—and many more—about owning and maintaining your vehicle right here. Plus, we’ve included a host of tips that’ll help you be a better, safer driver in all manner of weather and road conditions.
the front passenger and driver each enjoying an iced beverage held in one hand. Of course, the drink holding does not seem wise for the driver while also steering over the off-road terrain, as we soon learn. It’s unclear what everybody was drinking, but we can use our imaginations based on the results. The driver bombs down a muddy road through some big puddles before cutting through a field, where the truck apparently rolled at least once, ending up on its side.
It’s not every day you take delivery of a brand-new, nearly $45,000 Ford Ranger Raptor, and it must be a pretty exciting feeling. (Soon, Americans might know that feeling, too, when the off-road-ready Ranger Raptor finally makes it stateside.) Unfortunately for one unlucky owner, a dealership employee on an off-road joy ride in South Africa stole that moment for themselves and ended up totaling the brand-new pickup before it could be delivered.
Don’t be afraid of the word “maintenance.” You don’t have to be a certified auto technician, have a vehicle lift in your garage, or own a tool chest full of expensive wrenches to handle the simple tasks that will keep your vehicle running reliably and safely for years to come.