Regular maintenance is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle. Although today’s modern cars are engineered to be more durable and last much longer than cars made decades ago, the key to their longevity is servicing and maintaining fluid levels, parts and systems on a regular basis. A regularly serviced car will run more efficiently, use less fuel, contribute less pollution and last longer compared to a vehicle without regular maintenance.
A list of important auto repair services
Despite seeming like a constant and dependable conveyance, your car is in an almost constant state of degradation. Fluids that lubricate the engine and allow systems like the power steering and brakes to operate properly burn away or become contaminated; brake pads that provide stopping power wear away with every deceleration; filters prevent contaminants from entering the engine via the air intake or fuel lines eventually reach capacity.
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For these reasons and others, your vehicle’s manufacturer provides a schedule of recommended service procedures based on the amount of miles driven. The service schedule is designed to help car owners to get the optimum performance, longevity and reliability from their vehicles. The service schedule typically covers the project lifespan of the vehicle and covers a wide variety of vehicle components and systems, including:
- Oil changes
- Oil, air and fuel filter changes
- Spark plug changes
- When the engine should be tuned up
- Power steering, brake, transmission and radiator fluid changes
- Lubrication of heavy-duty drive shaft components
Preventive maintenance saves money
Beyond ensuring your car is operating as efficiently as possible, keeping to your car’s service schedule can save money in the long run. Especially when you use a trusted mechanic, regular maintenance ensures your vehicle is inspected regularly, which can catch costly problems before they become more expensive. Investing in relatively minor maintenance items or check-ups also helps you avoid major, expensive repairs that can arise as the result of neglect. Lastly, if your car is still under manufacturer’s warranty, preventive maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer ensures your car will continue to be covered.
The most important auto repairs
Without out a doubt, oil changes are the most important regular maintenance item for your vehicle. Because motor oil lubricates a wide range of moving parts within the engine, keeping it changed regularly is essential to keeping engine efficiency and longevity. Whether your car uses synthetic oil or conventional or standard motor oil, investing in the relatively minor expense of an oil change as recommended by the manufacturer can save drivers huge amounts of money in the long run.