Just like that, another year is over. To help get you geared up for next year, here are some New Year’s resolution ideas for you and your vehicle.

Keep It Clean

Cleaning your car on both the outside and inside is key to keeping it in top shape. Get your car a deep clean this winter to remove the buildup of salt, grime, and dirt on its exterior. For the interior, consider adding protective mats to the floor, and covers over the seats.

24 June 2019 - Calgary, Alberta Canada - Entrance to Touchless carwash in Calgary

Read Up

If you haven’t before, this is a great time to read your car’s owner’s manual. You can learn a lot about your vehicle, including new features, how to extend the car’s longevity, and safety warnings you might be ignoring. So, grab your favourite hot drink, sit by the fireplace, and enjoy! (Or, if you’re having a hard time falling asleep…)

DIY It

Another noteworthy resolution is to learn how to perform maintenance on your car yourself. For simple tasks, like window and interior cleaning, simply make sure you have the right tools (window cleaner, microfiber cloth, etc.).

Also learn how to do simple inspections yourself. We’ve covered a few on our blog already:

You can also look up how-to videos on changing your windshield washer fluid, jump-starting your car, and fixing a flat tire after a puncture. Learning how to DIY cannot only give you a sense of accomplishment, but will also save you money by avoiding trips to the service station.

Get Your Own OBD-II Scanner

OBD stands for on-board diagnostics, and OBD-II is the second generation.

Every gasoline-powered car manufactured since 1996 has an OBD port. (The port was only installed in vehicles with a diesel engine beginning in 2008.) Most ports are located under the steering wheel.

An OBD scanner can give you a wealth of information to help you diagnose issues with many components and systems in your vehicle: batteries, charging systems, electrical systems, airbags, transmissions, and more. Wonder why your check engine light is on? An OBD scanner can answer that question. Learning how to use one and using it habitually as part of your regular inspections can help you detect problems before they become expensive repairs.

Change Your Driving Habits

If one of your resolutions is to spend less, consider changing the way you drive. By operating your vehicle more efficiently, you can save on fuel and various maintenance costs.

You could increase your gas mileage by gently accelerating and decelerating, planning to avoid travelling during busy hours, checking traffic apps to avoid driving past an accident, keeping an eye on your tire pressure, and overall, driving less by only being on the road when you really need to be.

To potentially save more money, schedule a time to call your insurance broker to ask about bringing down your monthly insurance costs.

Support Local, Leave Your Favourite Garage and Dealership a Review

Our last recommendation is to leave an online review for your favourite garage and/or dealership. If you’re happy with the service they provide, a positive review can go a long way in helping them grow their business.

Have a Happy New Year!