MAKE IT LAST
"MASSACHUSETTS ROADS are hard on cars," says Mike Pedersen, owner of Mike's Automotive Services in Somerville. Don't we know it. From the traffic to the potholes to the weather, conditions here can be brutal. So we asked Pedersen and John Paul, manager of public affairs and traffic safety of AAA Southern New England, for a little advice on maintenance.
* Purchase higher grades of struts and supports. Pedersen also suggests spending an extra $100 for stainless-steel pipes the next time you need a muffler. "Cold-rolled steel, the cheapest, will last about three to four years," he says. "But stainless will last 10 to 12."
* Wash bird droppings off your car immediately. "It's acidic," Pedersen says. The good news: Corrosion from salt poses less of a threat than before because of the chemically treated metal in today's cars and parts.
* Wash your car yourself. You'll notice every nick and scratch and can touch it up with paint, so no rusting occurs.
* Pop the hood every Saturday. Years ago, Paul says, washing the car, checking the oil and tires, and then checking the engine were weekly rituals. It's still a good idea. "If you look under the hood often enough," he says, "you'll notice when something doesn't look the way it should."
* You can't wish that weird sound away. "The longer you ignore that funny noise," Paul says, "the better chance it will become an expensive funny noise."
* Keep a logbook. Make a note when you add fluids, and track gas mileage. Then you'll know there is probably a problem if, say, your mileage drops from 26 miles a gallon to 18. Keeping records can also help with resale. 