Why is Regular Maintenance Necessary for Your Car?

2017-12-07 by repairama.com

Even though car maintenance and repair is one of the most importance services needed for your vehicle to continue giving a stellar performance, it is often neglected.  Car owners usually tend to ignore minor defects or a malfunction, thinking it is probably nothing, till the damage spreads, and you have to shell out an exorbitant amount to get an expensive part replaced or repaired.

 
What is the solution?

If you service the car on a regular basis, maintenance will not be too pricey. You don’t need to keep paying enormous cash sums to keep your car in proper working order. Scrutinize your vehicle thoroughly – maintain a routine inspection of your car, regardless of how busy you are. Check the level of your car fluids regularly, examine wear components, and keep the car clean at all times. These steps will prevent the onset of harm and also help in identifying issues at early stages before they become severe.

How can regular maintenance help you?

Keep costs down

Issues that seem trivial or unnecessary can transform into big difficulties within no time, which results in more expenditure. Don’t skimp on your vehicle to save small sums of money or else you can end up footing a large bill at the end. You certainly don’t want to end up taking your car to an auto repair shop once a month!

Avoid accidents

If you notice the brakes squealing each time you step on the pedal to stop, it is a clear sign of the brake pads being worn out. If you don’t replace them immediately, it could cause a brake failure while driving, thus leading to accidents, injuries, and even death.

Prevent widespread damage

Have you noticed drops or puddles of fluid under your vehicle?  What happens if you don’t do anything about? This isn’t a normal situation as the oil could be leaking and ignoring it can result in complete oil loss among the different engine components. It might cause harm to the car parts, leading to more problems.

 

What does regular maintenance entail?

 
Adherence to servicing schedules

 You shouldn’t delay while servicing the car. It is best that car owners stick to the regular car maintenance schedule as advised by the automobile manufacturer. Skipping on monthly/quarterly servicing schedules will only aggravate the issues with the car.

Change of fluids

 Car fluids should be replaced at regular intervals. Car fluids include engine oil, transmission fluids, coolant, brake fluids and engine oil, etc. Don’t go overboard with change of fluids. Consumers may use dip-stick to check the fluid levels and fluid color before deciding to go for a refill.

 
Battery assessment

 It is essential to assess the car battery once in a month. Car owners should look out for warning signs like corrosion or dangling wires. Loose electrical connections should be attended on a priority basis. If there are signs of corrosion, then it is time to visit the local mechanic.

 
Tire rotation

 Tires are the foundation of the car. They balance the car and facilitate movements. They are subject to maximum wear and tear. Car tires should be checked regularly for any warning signs. It is essential to check and maintain the tire air pressure. Tire rotation is also vital to maintain the alignment.

 
Wipers

 Harsh weather conditions can impact the wiper blades. Excessive heat can cause the rubber on the blade to wear out. You must opt for wiper replacements at least once in a year. If the car is driven in harsh climatic conditions then, the wipers may require bi-annual replacement.

 
Clean the exterior

 It is essential that the car is squeaky clean for optimum performance. Dust and dirt react with oxygen in the air and affect the exterior of the car. This reaction results in rust. Cars must be washed on a regular basis in order to avoid rusting. You may opt for professional body wash or can clean the car using a pipe hose and mild detergent.

 Change your filters

 This means your oil, air, transmission and fuel filters. Your car's owner's manual will give you the recommended schedule for changing them, but ideally the oil filter should be changed at every oil change, air filter at every tune up or couple of months, transmission fluid every two years, and fuel filter once a year.

 Ideally you should get the car serviced regularly – work out a monthly or yearly contract with an auto shop, so you don’t have to deal with maintenance issues. While searching for a reliable establishment shop around and check out at least 3-4 professionals, rather than hiring the first name you come across. Make sure you verify credentials – you should know whether they are actually as good as they claim to be. The same goes when you look for aftermarket auto parts – seek different options before deciding.