Five Ways to Get the Most of Your Subaru’s Reliability

If you are the proud owner of a Subaru – or you plan to be soon – you should be happy to hear that Subaru is widely considered to manufacture some of the most reliable vehicles on the road today. A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports ranked Subaru No. 5 of the 10 most reliable car brands.

However, even the most reliable vehicles will experience wear and tear when subjected to daily use, long trips and when taken on excursions off the beaten path. There are certain things drivers can do to minimize the issues their vehicle experiences and extend its usable life so they can the most out of their investment.

Stick to the Regular Maintenance Schedule

It can be easy to put off routine auto service, but getting into the habit of taking your Subaru in for maintenance at the recommended intervals is crucial if you want it to run like new for longer. If you’re not sure what type of regular maintenance your car requires or how often it should be performed, check the owner’s manual.

In general, routine service will include:

• ·         Replacing oil and oil filters
• ·         Topping off brake, radiator, transmission and power steering fluids
• ·         Inspecting the battery and spark plug connections
• ·         Checking tire pressure and tread regularly
• ·         Replacing headlights and brake lights as needed

Some tasks may need be done every few thousand miles, while others only need to be checked every tens of thousands of miles depending on your vehicle and its age.

Drive Your Car With Care

Did you know how you drive can affect your engine’s usable life? Small things like coming to a full stop before switching gears, allowing the engine to warm up on cold winter mornings and always having at least a quarter tank of gasoline can extend the life of your transmission and other critical engine components.

Other good driving habits to embrace include:

• ·         Using the parking brake, especially on inclines
• ·         Driving the car at least once a week
• ·         Avoiding short trips and revving the engine

Clean the Engine Bay

You probably take your vehicle to the car wash after a rain storm, but how often do you clean your engine bay? While cleaning your engine is mostly a cosmetic fix, it does offer some mechanical benefits. For instance, the presence of grease and gunk can wear out your belts and hoses faster and cause the engine to run hotter.

Pay Attention to Warning Lights

The check engine light is there for a reason. Still, too many drivers ignore it or cross their fingers that it will turn off on its own, often because they are dreading an expensive car repair bill.

The truth is, the check engine light could indicate any number of issues – from a loose gas cap to a faulty oxygen sensor. The sooner a reputable mechanic diagnoses the issue, the better off your Subaru will be, as engine problems typically get worse before they get better.

Use Quality Replacement Parts

Expensive car repairs are many driver’s worst nightmare. So much so, that they choose aftermarket replacement parts versus original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts to save a few extra dollars.

The saying “you get what you pay for” couldn’t ring truer in this case. While aftermarket parts have some pros, many are made with inferior materials that may cause your engine more problems down the road.

For Subaru drivers, OEM parts are specifically designed for your car, giving you peace of mind that your vehicle will run better for longer. Plus, many OEM parts come with a warranty for added assurance.

Subaru Service in Louisville

If you want your Subaru to run like new well after the 200,000-mile mark, the best thing you can do is have it serviced by Subaru experts. At Neil Huffman Subaru, our technicians are factory trained by Subaru instructors and use only genuine Subaru parts and specialized tools for trusted performance.

Schedule service today by calling 877-475-9915 or by visiting our website.