When your car's running reasonably well—there's a strong temptation to leave it alone. But you've heard it over and over again from reliable mechanics: Don't wait for something to go wrong before taking care of vehicle maintenance items. By monitoring the health of your car and being proactive, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run, not to mention gain peace of mind behind the wheel.
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Here are five car maintenance items that every driver should take care of:
1. Check the Oil -- The various seals in your engine will inevitably deteriorate with age, allowing oil to seep out that could result in oil contamination or a full-on engine seizure. Check that dipstick—when the engine's warm—at least 2-3 times between oil changes. If the oil level drops rapidly, don't just "top it off" with an extra quart and hope for the best. Report the issue to your mechanic before your oil light comes on.
2. Tires -- Tires play a huge role in your vehicle's ability to stop and turn effectively. Invest a few bucks in a tire pressure gauge and check the tire pressure every thousand miles or so (when the tires are cold) and add air as required. Correctly inflated tires can be the difference between slamming into the car ahead of you or stopping in time. You will get better fuel economy, too! Also, have your tires rotated regularly to promote uniform tread-wear. If the tread dwindles down to the wear bars, order a new set immediately. It's worth the extra cost to make sure your vehicle drives safely.
3. Brakes -- Brakes and tires work together--one can't deliver safe stopping distances unless the other's in good shape. Ask your mechanic to check your brakes every time your car's in the shop. You should also watch out for telltale indications of brake decline, especially squealing noises, pedal softness, and pedal vibration. It could be time for new pads or rotors—or both.
4. Transmission -- If you're having transmission problems, make sure you schedule a car maintenance service as soon as possible--don't end up stranded in the middle of nowhere, at the mercy of whatever garage is close. Mechanics don't commonly road-test transmissions as part of basic vehicle maintenance, so it's up to you to identify and report signs of problems in normal driving, such as clunky shifts (a.k.a. "shift shock"), an increasing reluctance to downshift, and "slipping," which is roughly when engine speed and throttle response become volatile because the transmission has lost its ability to hold gears. If you're lucky, you might just need fresh transmission fluid, but it never hurts to ask your mechanic whether what you've been noticing is anything to worry about.
5. Recommended Vehicle Maintenance Services -- Scheduled car maintenance can sometimes cost more than you'd prefer to spend, but it's worth it. Follow the appropriate service schedule in your owner's manual to prolong the life of all the parts that make your car function smoothly. These schedules are provided by the vehicle's engineers as an instruction manual for keeping everything operating together at peak efficiency.
Have questions about a needed vehicle maintenance service? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our convenient Excel Auto Centers. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and make an appointment for a car maintenance service. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Rochester MN.
