It’s important to keep up on your vehicle’s maintenance. Your car will last longer, you’ll experience better gas mileage, fewer breakdowns, less expense over the long haul, and that rewarding feeling you get when you’re taking care of business!
Did you know that changing your oil is the most important part of vehicle maintenance? Most shops today recommend an oil change every 5,000 miles, and I agree. If you choose to use synthetic oil, you can bump that up to 7,500 miles. If you push it much further, your filter will begin to clog.
Be sure to check your tire pressures at every fill up. If you have a car with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), then it will do this for you. Just make sure to fill up the tires that get low. This will increase your gas mileage, give you better tire wear, and a more stable vehicle during emergency maneuvers. You don’t need a fancy gauge; a pencil type will do; however, one with a dial gauge is best.
Your air filter should be checked at least every other oil change. If you drive in a dusty environment, check it at every oil change. If the filter gets clogged, it will affect your power and gas mileage.
The fluid inside your automatic transmission should be replaced along with the filter (if it has one) every 30,000 miles. This will keep the build-up of wear particles down to a minimum. The more build-up inside the transmission, the faster it will cause problems. Automatic transmissions are not inexpensive to repair when something goes wrong. Your bill could easily run up to $2,500 or more for a rebuild. Consider a fluid change to be inexpensive insurance.
Make sure all other fluids are kept topped off or changed on a regular basis. Have the brake fluid flushed out every couple of years to prevent deterioration. Power steering fluid should be changed when it gets dirty. The concentration of the anti-freeze/coolant should be checked every year – certainly before you head off to the mountains to go skiing.
The cabin filter, which filters the air entering into the passenger compartment, should be replaced once a year if your dog is your co-pilot, or if you suffer from allergies.
Before the rainy season starts . . . be sure to replace your wiper blades for better visibility. .
Doing these simple things will keep you on the road! If you’d like, we will even help you remember when to do these things. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call…we’re here to help.