Taking care of your car’s engine is the best way to ensure it will last for many years to come, but in order to do that, you have to regularly maintain your vehicle from the inside out.

Check out the tips below if you’re stumped as to how you should be taking care of your car’s engine and keeping it in tiptop condition.

Stay on Top of Oil Changes

One of the easiest ways to keep your engine running like new is by simply giving it an oil change on a regular basis. It also really helps if you use the best motor oil that you can afford, as this will ensure you’re really helping to keep your engine’s parts lubricated to prevent overheating.

If you let too much time pass between changes, you could actually cause permanent damage to the engine, so check what the car’s manufacturer suggests and schedule an oil change whenever necessary.

Let the Car Warm Up

When you start your car, you should not immediately put it into gear and drive off. This is because your engine will be cold, especially in the winter, and the oil will have settled into the oil pan, so it won’t be on the moving parts yet.

It normally takes just a few seconds to get the oil adequately pumping and lubricating the engine once you start the car, but you should keep the RPM down as you allow your car to warm up. Wait a minimum of 30 seconds prior to putting the car in gear to drive, and give it longer than that if the car has been off for longer than 24 hours.

Change the Air Filter Regularly

In addition to changing the oil regularly, you also should change the air filter regularly to keep your engine running well. Basically, your car’s air filter will keep all of the leaves, dirt, bugs, etc. from outside of the vehicle from getting into the engine.

This filter will inevitably become clogged over time, so you need to replace it depending upon the typical road conditions you encounter, as well as your driving habits. Though an air filter could typically last quite a long time, don’t let it get dirty or it won’t work efficiently.

Make Sure There’s Always Enough Coolant

The coolant will help keep the engine from overheating, so it’s yet another area of your engine that you need to maintain. Put simply, your vehicle’s coolant will move throughout the engine when its thermostat registers that the engine is getting too hot.

Making sure there is enough coolant in your engine at all times is as easy as regularly popping open the hood and looking at the coolant tank, which is clear. There should be orange or green liquid inside, and it should be in between the maximum and minimum marks on the tank.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can maintain your car’s engine and keep it running like new. Remember to check your owner’s manual for details on what it needs to operate smoothly.