If you are getting a used car, you need to make sure that you maintain it right. This is because an older car will have problems much faster than a new car. Before anything happens, below are two types of maintenance your car should receive.

Oil Change

Changing the oil is very important for your engine. If you do not change the oil then it will become very dirty. This dirt will then build up in your engine. The oil will also become much thicker and, as a result, won't be able to run through the engine. If this happens, your engine parts will not have enough lubrication and will cause a lot of friction. Over time, the parts will start to have problems and your entire engine could go out. Engine problems are expensive and if you end up needing to repair the entire thing, this can result in even higher repair bills.

Fortunately, regular oil changes are not expensive so be sure to take your car to a mechanic when it needs to be done. Refer to the owner's manual that came with your car to determine how often it needs to be changed. If you do not have a manual, you can look the requirements up online or the mechanic can help you determine this.

Tune Up

You should also give your car a tune up. Again, refer to the owner's manual or ask a mechanic about this. A tune up will help your car run normally and smoothly. This maintenance task can also help you save money on gas. Part of a tune up is changing out the spark plugs. Over time, the spark plugs will wear out and be covered with dirt and other types of buildup. As such, if you do not change the spark plugs, this will take power away from your engine and will make it work much harder in order to run your car. This can result in engine problems if not taken care of.

Fortunately, changing spark plugs is not hard and does not take a lot of time. Because your used car is likely going to be older, the distributor cap and the rotor may also need to be changed. The fuel filter, PCV valve, and oxygen sensor will need to be checked and replaced if necessary. 

The mechanic that you take your car to can tell you of other maintenance that should be done, such as checking the battery, rotating the tires, checking breaks, etc. Be sure to contact an auto maintenance service for more information.