Maintenance tips to give your car a long life

Keeping your car or truck in great shape has plenty of benefits — avoiding breakdowns, saving money and boosting its resale value, to name a few.

Follow these quick tips to help your vehicle run strong and look good for as long as you own it. For a more detailed guide, check out our car maintenance checklist.

Read your owner's manual.

Your owner's manual can help you understand your car's features and how to operate various systems. More importantly, the manual gives clear guidance on when to perform periodic maintenance, like replacing oil, air and fuel filters and the various fluids that keep it running smoothly.

Some vehicles offer the option to register your vehicle to receive reminders for upcoming maintenance needs. If this isn't available to you, there are also mobile apps that help you stay on track with maintenance. Whether you do the work yourself or use a service facility, keeping up with your vehicle maintenance can keep your car on the road and your wallet protected from bigger mechanical breakdown costs that can come from a lack of maintenance. If you need help scheduling regular vehicle maintenance or finding a repair facility, check out car care services on USAA Perks®.

Change your oil at the right interval.

We've all heard you should change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles. While that may be true for older vehicles, newer models may be able to go two or three times longer between oil changes. Check your owner's manual for recommended oil-change mileage frequency. It can vary by model, year and servicing shops. Always pay attention to your oil indicator light on your dashboard or onboard information system.

Use the right type of fuel.

Gas advertising in the past may lead you to believe high-octane gas, typically 91 octane or greater, is better than regular octane. The most important authority on the right gas for your engine is the owner's manual.

Many cars today are equipped with smaller motors paired with a turbo-charger to help provide more horsepower. Some vehicles are using different technology to help improve fuel efficiency and the internal components are designed to use specific fuel types. These features aren't limited to luxury vehicles, so it's important to follow the directions provided in the owner's manual.

If you use a lower octane fuel and your car calls for a higher rated gas, you may eventually hear knocking and pinging noises coming from your engine. These are not good sounds.

You should always follow the octane recommendation from your owner's manual to avoid any warranty-related issues.

Take care of your tires.

Your tires are important for your safety and your gas mileage. Good tire maintenance starts with keeping them properly inflated, including your spare tire.

If your tire pressure light comes on, don't second-guess it by simply looking to see if any of them appear low. A tire can be flat without appearing so, especially on smaller cars. Driving on it could turn a cheap patch into a pricey replacement. Tire gauges are cheap, so keep one handy in each car you own.

To make your tires last longer, rotate them regularly per the manufacturer's recommendation. If you see uneven wear in the tread, it could mean you need to have your alignment checked.

If it's that time to replace your tires, check out discounts that are available for USAA members.

Keep your vision clear.

Don't procrastinate when your wiper blades start to wear out. Poor vision in bad conditions could cause a disaster, so hop on this inexpensive maintenance need promptly.

If you have a chip or crack in your windshield, consider getting it repaired or replaced, especially if your vision is blocked at all. Many auto insurance policies offer a zero-deductible on glass repairs or replacements. See what coverage and deductibles apply when you review your auto insurance policy.

Don't ignore trouble.

If you observe strange behavior in your vehicle or your check engine light comes on, don't ignore it. Have a repair shop check it out as soon as possible. It's better to repair it now and avoid a costly breakdown. If you need help finding a service or repair center, get help with USAA Perks®.

Make it shine inside and out.

A clean vehicle inside and out keeps it fresh and affords a higher resale value in the future.

Perform pre-trip checkups early.

If you need periodic maintenance and are also planning a long drive, don't wait until the last minute to take your car in.

Instead, have it serviced at least a week before you go. Though it's unlikely, there's always a chance that a mechanic might not put things back together right. If that happens, you don't want to find out when you're on a lonely stretch of road 400 miles from home. Finding a trustworthy mechanic can be a process, use our guide on what to look for in your search.

Keep records.

An organized record of maintenance and repairs is an important part of responsible car ownership. It can help you avoid prematurely repeating maintenance items and undetected problems. When you're ready to sell, it will also demonstrate to prospective buyers that you've taken good care of the vehicle.

In addition to keeping a paper file, there are now a variety of apps you can use to track maintenance, repairs, gas mileage and more.