Keeping your car in shape

The durability and reliability of modern cars is remarkable, provided they're treated decently.

No abuse or over-hard driving. When you first start the vehicle, do not race the engine.

Accelerate gradually until the engine (and the rest of the drivetrain) has warmed up.

It takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the outside temperature.

Most engine wear occurs at cold-start and during the first few minutes of operation. Revving a cold engine will greatly accelerate this wear and tear.

However, do not just start the vehicle and leave it idling in the driveway for more than a couple of minutes.

Doing that is also bad for the engine, because idling does not heat it up quickly enough to burn off raw petrol and other contaminants that can dilute the oil and reduce its ability to lubricate and protect internal parts.

Simply get in, start the engine and drive away at a measured pace, avoiding full-throttle starts or passing attempts until about 20 minutes have gone by.

Be kind to your car in extreme weather.

If it's very hot or very cold outside, life is much harder on your car's engine and all its mechanical components.

Any excessive demands placed on your engine in such conditions can come back to haunt you down the road.

For the same reason, avoid driving at high speed - or worse, running it at full tilt from one stop light to the next - if conditions are particularly hot or cold.