Is Regular Car Maintenance Important?
Is regular car maintenance really that important? Yes! When you buy a new or used vehicle, you want to be able to drive it for as long as possible. Following a maintenance schedule helps make this possible. Find out more about why you should keep up with regular car maintenance and the benefits of these preventative services.
What is Regular Car Maintenance?
Regular car maintenance, also known as preventative maintenance, means having certain services completed at routine intervals. They help keep your vehicle running as it should and prevent larger issues that may require more involved, and expensive, car repairs. For example, getting oil changes when you reach a certain mileage is regular car maintenance.
Regular car services includes:
- Oil and filter changes
- Air filter replacements
- Tire pressure checks
- Tire rotations
- Brake pad replacements
You should also have the vehicle fluids regularly checked to make sure they’re at the proper level. This includes coolant, wiper fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid.
Regularly check that the headlight, tail light, and turn signal bulbs are working properly. If one or more has burned out, it can result in a ticket if you’re pulled over. Luckily, replacing the bulbs is easy and affordable.
Each season, check your windshield wipers to see if they need to be replaced, especially if you live somewhere with all four seasons and there’s a lot of snow in winter and rain in spring. It’s also a good time to check the battery and change the tires if you need snow/winter tires.
Each manufacturer has a list of routine auto services for each of their vehicles. To learn more about your specific vehicle’s maintenance schedule, consult the manufacturer’s website or your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Signs Your Vehicle Needs Car Maintenance
If you haven’t been keeping up with regular auto services, your vehicle may be showing signs that it needs maintenance or repairs.
Warning lights: If any of your warning lights stay on when you start the engine, get them checked as soon as possible. Some, like the tire pressure monitor, is easy to fix and can be done yourself. Other lights, like the check engine light, require a service technician to determine what the problem is.
Braking issues: If it feels like your vehicle isn’t braking properly or you’re having to press down harder than normal to stop your car, it’s time to get your brakes checked. Brake services to check the pads, fluids, and more ensure that your brakes won’t malfunction while you’re driving.
Noises and vibrations: Any new noises or vibrations that your vehicle is making should be checked out. It could be an easy fix or it could be something more involved. The only way to know is to have a professional inspection.
Difficulty starting: Maintenance or repair may be needed if your car is slow to turn on or won’t turn on when you turn your key in the ignition or push the start button. This could be a sign that your car battery needs to be replaced, but it could also be an issue with the mechanical parts of your car.
Whitten Brothers Automotive Provides Regular Car Maintenance
Whether you’ve just purchased a car from us or you’ve owned your vehicle for a while, the Whitten Brothers Automotive Service Center provides regular car maintenance to keep your car, truck, SUV, or van running smoothly. Learn more about our Service Center or schedule your next auto service.
