Little things to lengthen your car's life

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In the current economic climate, people are looking for ways to squeeze the most out of the dollars they spend. While that's certainly a sound approach, there's also a growing trend to get the most out of money you've already spent.

Perhaps nowhere is that more possible than with the vehicle you drive. Whether you own your car outright or are among the many who are leasing or financing their vehicles, the dollars you've already spent and will spend can go much further with some simple vehicle maintenance. AMSOIL INC., the industry leader in motor oil, offers the following tips for drivers hoping to get the most out of their vehicles in these turbulent financial times.

* Practice preventive maintenance. One of the best things about automobiles is that most of the problems they encounter are entirely preventable. As banks begin to tighten their belts with respect to vehicle loans in light of the sagging economy, preventive vehicle maintenance has become even more important, as more and more drivers are hoping to keep their cars for longer periods of time.

Routine preventive measures such as changing a car's oil and filters, keeping the injectors and the fuel delivery systems clean, and maintaining proper tire pressure are easy jobs that greatly increase a vehicle's life expectancy. Those aiming to have a vehicle reach the 100,000 or even 200,000 mile mark will find that the key to doing so is simple, preventive maintenance.

* Coddle your car's engine. One of the most effective ways to keep a vehicle running smoothly throughout the course of its life is to install synthetic lubricants. Premium synthetic lubricants provide superior wear protection, keeping engines running cleaner and longer. Synthetic motor oil, for instance, greatly enhances a vehicle's performance. The uniform molecular structure of synthetic oil helps engines operate more efficiently by reducing friction and wear, improving performance in extreme temperatures that are often taxing on cars using conventional lubricants and, best of all, by improving fuel economy.

* Embrace industry advancements. As recently as 15 years ago, many people had never heard of the Internet, and lots of homes still did not have personal computers. Nowadays, it's hard to imagine getting by in a world without either.

As those advances in techonology have changed our lives, advances in automotive technology can change a car's life. For example, traditional petroleum motor oils have long been the blind choice of motorists. However, these oils have long been known to form sludge, gums and varnishes as they break down.

But just like many people cannot imagine a home without the Internet, car owners who have embraced synthetic motor oils can't imagine ever returning to traditional petroleum motor oils. Synthetic motor oils, because of their higher flash points and their ability to withstand oxidation and evaporation loss, are far more resistant to sludge development. As a result, engines run cleaner with synthetics, offering better fuel economy, wear protection and superior performance.

For more information and tips, visit www.amsoil.com.