New Year’s resolutions for your vehicle

The New Year is a great time to set goals you’ve always wanted to accomplish. If you own a vehicle, why not include it in your resolutions?

Let’s go over some resolutions you can add to your 2025 bucket list to help your car look and perform its best.

Set a schedule

One of the best goals to set this year is to create a maintenance schedule for your car. Certain tasks need to be done more often than others, so do your research to find out how often you need to book each service.

For example, schedule an oil change at least once every 8,000 kilometres and refill your windshield washer fluid every month or two.

Your vehicle type, how often you drive, and external conditions will also affect how often you need to do these tasks.

Keep an eye on your tires

A frequent maintenance task for all cars is keeping tabs on your tires. Check your tire pressure every two weeks to make sure it’s at the optimal level. You can find the optimal pressure range on the sidewalls and in your owner’s manual, so you can adjust the pressure as needed.

Every month, look at the tread in your tires. Pay attention to any punctures or cracks along the sidewalls. Using a tread depth gauge, check how deep the tread is to know if you need to replace your tires. Remember to never replace just the tire with worn-down treads. This will lead to unbalanced driving. Have all tires replaced.

A fresh start

Why wait for spring cleaning when you could have a tidier car now? If you’ve got somewhere warm and covered to work, take time to give your car a little detailing.

Clean messes as you go instead of letting them pile up. If you drive often, maybe add a bi-weekly cleaning to your maintenance schedule to stay on top of things. Keep some cleaning products in your car to make this easier. This can include a portable vacuum, multipurpose wipes, and some air freshener.

Don’t ignore the signs

Don’t underestimate your car’s ability to tell you when something’s wrong. Aside from changes in performance, if you notice any warning signs on your car’s dashboard this year, don’t ignore them.

Waving off a warning sign can lead to serious damage and even put your safety at risk. Take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic whenever you notice something lit up on your dashboard.

If you’re unfamiliar with the signals on your car’s dashboard, the New Year is a great time to catch up on them.

Adjust your driving habits

Besides keeping up with various tasks, you can also help maintain your car by adjusting your driving habits. Try some of these tips to improve your driving to get the most out of your car and lower your carbon footprint this year:

• Accelerate and decelerate gently.
• Combine multiple short trips into one excursion.
• Don’t overload your vehicle.
• Limit your use of the A/C and heater.
• Drive slower in tough conditions (i.e., snow).

More advice

For more New Year’s resolution ideas, check out our blog to learn more about your vehicle and how to care for it.

If you need any help with maintaining or repairing any part of your car, visit any NAPA AUTOPRO service centre. Our experts will listen to your concerns so you drive away with confidence.

Happy New Year!