When it comes to vehicle ownership, not every driver knows how dependent a vehicle’s lifespan is on its day-to-day care. Helping customers understand how to keep their vehicles reliable for the long haul can set your dealership apart
By encouraging smart habits and offering the right tools and resources, dealerships can build stronger relationships with their customers, while fostering long-term customer loyalty and trust.
Here are some tips that are easily overlooked by car owners:
Consistent Maintenance Habits
Driving with care every day can reward drivers with longer intervals without car repairs.
Advice like shifting to neutral at red lights, avoiding driving at high speeds, or accelerating quickly, especially during extreme temperatures, are tips dealers can offer that drivers might not think of.
Smart Driving Behaviors
When in a rush to get somewhere, it’s easy to forget the damage that rough driving can inflict on vehicles. Remind your customers of the importance of accelerating smoothly, braking gently, and avoiding whipping around corners, to reduce excess wear on critical car components.
Be Proactive with Protection Plans
Even with excellent habits, vehicles experience wear over time. Mechanical issues don’t usually wait for a convenient moment, which is why vehicle service contacts can be part of a smart long-term plan.
While it might seem like an unnecessary expense, purchasing coverage now to keep the current car in top condition can help avoid paying thousands later to fix it or purchasing a new vehicle entirely. A vehicle is an investment, and you’re providing the resources to make that investment last as long as possible.
Avoid Excessive Short Trips
This often surprises some drivers, but short trips can actually cause more damage than longer trips on the highway. Consistent stops, braking, and acceleration can cause a loss of fluids and more wear and tear.
Advise customers to consolidate short driving trips. When running errands or going to work, it’s best for them to combine those trips so they aren’t constantly taking unnecessary short trips that could cause irreversible destruction.
Don’t Forget about Tires
Since tires don’t need to be changed often, it’s easy to forget about them when thinking of regular maintenance like oil changes. However, regular checks of tire pressure and rotating tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles can extend the life of the tires and the overall lifespan of their vehicle.
Steering Customers Toward Smarter Ownership
Helping customers keep their vehicles running smoothly adds more value to your service. Educating them on everyday habits that improve their ability to care for their new investment shows you care and makes your dealership more than just a place to buy a car.
When customers feel supported and informed, they’re far more likely to return – not just for service, but for future vehicle needs. Empower your drivers today, and you’ll build loyalty that lasts far beyond the initial sale.