How important is regular vehicle maintenance? Most car owners understand the importance of having it done. However, it’s often put off despite knowing that regular maintenance can greatly reduce the risk of unexpected problems and costly repairs. Little problems will quickly turn into big ones if they are ignored. With thoughtful care and maintenance, you will increase the life of your vehicle. Mountain View Automotive offers regularly scheduled maintenance for cars, trucks and SUVs, foreign and domestic at prices that can’t be beat.
Saving money is important to all of us. Major car repairs are expensive. A major repair, between parts and labor, can end up costing you a fortune. This should be the primary reason to have regular vehicle maintenance done but most owners take their chances. This can be a recipe for disaster. Ignoring regular scheduled maintenance greatly increases the chance of major repairs in the future.
Another great reason for regular maintenance is to catch any problems before they occur. Most major issues could have been avoided if maintenance was done on a regular basis. If you like to do maintenance yourself, you must be aware of the telltale signs of developing issues. A trained mechanic will spot problems and identify any issues to help you avoid a major problem.
Making a maintenance checklist is a simple thing that every car owner can do. Based upon your vehicle’s owner’s manual and the recommended service intervals, an item checklist will help you remember when they are due. As a simple guide, vehicle owners should:
- Maintain fluid levels
- Replace fuel filter every 24,000 miles or 2 years
- Replace air filter every 12,000 miles or 12 months
- Replace battery every 4 years
- Replace brakes after 24,000 miles or 2 years
- Check belts/ replace timing belt 60,000-90,000 miles/ engine belts after 30,000 miles
- Check tire treads
- Following this simple checklist will help you keep your car maintained and working properly.
Routine oil changes are easy and inexpensive. They are the engine’s essential lubricant and with old or dirty oil, your engine can’t work properly. Dirty oil negative affects the way your car runs and your mileage will also suffer. The correct oil level is also vital to your engine. Without it, your engine will ultimately fail.
Maintaining the cooling system is also an important part of regular maintenance. Antifreeze helps to keep your car from overheating in the summer and prevents icing in the winter. It is also vital to a properly working engine. It is recommended to flush the cooling system every 24,000 to 36,000 miles.
Checking your tires is something that most owners don’t do until there is a problem. Keeping your tires properly inflated will help with fuel efficiency. It’s also important to have your tires rotated regularly to avoid uneven wear and tear.
Finally, don’t neglect the exterior of your vehicle. If you live where there is salt on the roads, cleaning your car often will help to avoid corrosion. Corrosion and rust can wreak havoc on your car’s exterior.
Maintaining your vehicle will translate into saving big money. Mountain View Auto provides regular vehicle maintenance at prices you can afford.