Advantages Of Maintaining Your Car |
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William Sheldon
April 27, 2013
Regular Visits For Getting The Oil Changed Makes Sense
Unless you have more money than you can spend, there are certain reasons for maintaining your car that can mean the difference of replacing it at 50,000 miles or keeping it well over 300,000 miles. This does not mean you have to be a certified auto mechanic in order to keep your car in top shape. It does mean knowing a few basics and knowing where to take your car for regular maintenance and other repairs.
Do What You Can Do For Yourself
There may be many things you can do yourself, such as when you stop for gas consider checking your fluid levels; checking the tire pressure; checking hoses; looking for worn out belts; and checking that each of your lights are working properly. Many people even change their own oil, this is not very complicated but it can get messy, and you'll need to find the best way to dispose of your used oil. You can also take your vehicle to a professional to have all of this done for you, plus much more needed maintenance.
When You Should Begin
We're going to begin with how often you should schedule regular service on your car. If you have a new car, the car owner's manual may suggest that it is fine to go 7,000 miles, or once every six months between oil changes. Most mechanics will tell you that driving that far may be fine, but 3,000-5000 miles between service calls is better based upon their experience. For new vehicles, most mechanics recommend that you schedule maintenance checks every 5,000 miles, and older vehicles at 3,000 miles or even every three months. That may seem very often to you, but car owners who have managed to keep their cars on the road for many hundreds of thousands of miles, will say that they strictly follow the 3,000 mile rule between oil changes. Many owners have cars or light trucks that have been driven in excess of 400,000 miles. The advantages of servicing your car with a rigid service schedule are actually worth the extra effort when compared to the trouble, and the cost of breakdowns.
Where To Go
First of all, do not take your vehicle to someone who is going to simply remove the drain plug, then drain out your oil, then add new oil, and then thinks that is all that you need to do for the next three months. Instead, take your vehicle to someone who specializes in oil changes. There are places that specialize in oil changes, and these places will also do a number of other routine checks, add needed fluids and replace your air filter and window wipers if necessary. The oil change visit should also include an inspection of 20-30 other things related to your lights, brakes, fluid levels, tire inspection and other safety systems that you need to keep your car running problem free. Your regular trusted mechanic can carefully inspect your vehicle and maintain a maintenance log so he can review and monitor your cars maintenance history on a regular basis.
What Maintenance You Should Get For Your Car
Oil changes are a pretty competitive business, so it should be simple to find a company that will provide an oil change, and a 20-30 point inspection check at a modest price. These are the little but important safety inspections that can save you thousands of dollars down the road and keep you safe. If your auto tends to overheat it can create severe damage to the engine, but it could be prevented if for example the hoses had been checked often. Keeping your power brake fluid checked will warn you if there is a leak needing attention; the same with your brake fluid. In the event you own a 4-wheel drive vehicle, lubricating your chassis regularly can mean the difference between a vehicle that runs reliably and one that is sold for less. Broken hoses and hose clamps that simply loosen and leak because of excess wear can mean expensive repairs and expensive tows and even high travel expenses if something avoidable happens on a road trip. These are the types of maintenance related issues that can be prevented with regular vehicle maintenance practices.
Proper tire pressure can provide better fuel economy, it can also mean less wear on your tires, and improve driving safety. A clean air filter will not only help with better fuel economy and power, it will cause your engine to run better. The right amount of antifreeze/coolant can mean protecting your engine from damage caused by temperature extremes. Also, windshield wiper fluid can mean having a clear field of vision and avoiding obstacles before they become a major issue.
Do Not Forget To See Your Mechanic Regularly
It is important to schedule a vehicle oil change with your regular mechanic at least twice a year, and perhaps more often depending on the miles you drive. There are several checks that you will also want your regular mechanic to do on a regular basis. Checking the condition of your brakes, checking that your motor oil is being maintained, checking things like your coolant level and checking that the power steering pump is functioning well, and checking your electrical system for shorts, or worn wires. These safety checks can save you time and money when checked often. Once you realize the advantages of maintaining your car, doesn't it make sense based on safety and economics to do so?