Your car is a complex piece of machinery, and you need to count on all of its parts working together to keep you moving safely and reliably from place to place. Especially if you’ve just acquired a new or used car, establishing steady habits of proper car care can keep you out of the auto shop and on the road.

Below, the car repair professionals at Privitt Auto Service Center, a family-owned and -operated auto shop in Columbia, Missouri, offers a few suggestions for active car care that can keep your car healthy for years to come.

Here are three tips for great long-term car care: 

• Take A Personal Interest: Your car is probably one of the most valuable things you own, so treat it with the importance it deserves. Pay attention to your car’s health and behavior every time you drive it. If you notice new noises or differences in control response, these can be a sign you need to have it checked at an auto shop before problems worsen.
• Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew: It’s wonderful to feel personally invested in your car’s health, and many people choose to do some basic car care such as changing oil and filters, wipers and lights, even batteries and alternators independently. While this can be an excellent way to bond with your car, you should always make sure any car repair you undertake is within your expertise. If you aren’t completely confident in what you’re doing, it’s almost always worth bringing your car to a reputable auto shop.
• Invest In Regular Tuneups: Even if you don’t notice changes or problems, it’s a good idea to follow your manufacturer’s and your mechanic’s recommendations regarding regular maintenance and tuneups. It’s generally recommend for certain parts, like spark plugs, to be replaced. Transmission and cooling fluid replacement, fuel injection cleaning, and brake replacement should be done at specified intervals between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. Trust the advice of a reputable auto shop, and visit for a tuneup whenever you’re due.

For an auto shop you can trust in Columbia, Missouri, look to Privitt Auto Service Center, providing quality car care and care repair since 1963. Visit the website for more information or call (573) 449-7941 to schedule a visit.