If you want to protect your asphalt driveway its best to keep it clean from loose sand, gravel and other deposits. The loose deposits can break down the asphalt over time from the tires on vehicles turning back and forth. The more this happens the more the asphalt starts to break down. Just make sure to use a leaf blower and hand sweep your driveway periodical to prevent premature wear. Next you want to make sure to get your driveway seal coated approx every 3-4 years depending on the past weather, traffic and temperature conditions. Before the seal coating is done make sure to take care of any cracks or voids in your driveway. By taking care of the crack filling you will prevent water/ moisture from entering into the cracks, getting under the driveway, freezing during the winter causing the driveway to lift and further damaging your driveway. Another good tip is to keep the edges of your driveway trimmed from grass and weeds to prevent growth of vegetation into the driveway which overtime will also break down your driveway. Hope these tips were helpful and good luck keeping your asphalt driveway in good condition for years to come!