Whether you purchased your car, truck, or van brand new or previously owned, we know how important it is that it lasts for years to come!  Here at Scotti’s Auto Sales, we love helping our customers find the ride of their dreams, so of course, we also know the ins and outs of keeping your new baby running smoothly no matter how many miles you rack up!  Read on to learn about our top tips to make your car last longer.

First things first, you have to maintain your car regularly.  Do not skip your oil changes.  This is probably the most important step in routine maintenance.  You should be getting your oil changed every six months or 7,500 miles, whichever comes first.  Dirty oil will destroy your engine, possibly destroying your vehicle and rendering it undrivable.   Tire quality is also extremely important.  Check your tire pressure regularly, especially after bouts of cold weather.  You’ll also want to rotate your tires every 6 months or every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.  Batteries also need to be replaced regularly, about every 3 years.  This can vary depending on how much you use your car, and warmer climates will wear a battery down even more quickly.

Next on our list is the fuel filter.  The older your car gets, the more important it becomes to change out your fuel filters.  This needs to be done every 5 years of 30,000 to 50,000 miles.  You’ll know it’s time to do this even sooner if it becomes difficult to start your car, you’re getting far less fuel efficiency, your car starts stalling out, or you have trouble accelerating at an incline.  Just as important are the brakes.  Brake pads and rotors need to be maintained so that you can stop safely and quickly.  If it seems to be taking longer to stop, get both checked and replaced.  

Basically, if something starts to feel different during your drives, it’s time to take your car in.  This should be done in addition to your regularly scheduled maintenance appointments!

If you’re looking to trade in your vehicle or simply buy something new, come visit us at Scotti’s Auto Sales!  We’ll help you find your dream ride, get the best possible financing, and ensure you get the most for your trade-in!  Give us a call at 941-924-5885 today to speak with one of our highly qualified salesmen.  Want to come in and take a look at our inventory in person?  We can’t wait to see you here at 2811 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota!  You can also view our current inventory online at your convenience, day or night!