Over time, a vehicle can cost someone thousands and thousands of dollars in routine maintenance and repairs. However, it’s also one of the best investments you can make, so you want to make sure you’re taking care of it and not causing costly repairs that could have been avoided with preventative maintenance. Here are some of the most common maintenance tasks and why they’re important to the long-term health of your car.
Tires
Tires should be rotated and balanced every 6,000 miles or 6 months to get the optimal duration out of the set. Unaligned tires will cause uneven wear and tear but also a bumpy ride that could damage other parts of your car. Additionally, properly inflated tires improve mileage, so you spend less on gas long-term.
Filters
The engine air filter helps prevent dirt and debris from getting into the engine and causing damage. When it’s not working correctly, you can risk debris getting into the engine and even a decreased mileage. Check your vehicle’s manual for specifics, but it should usually be replaced every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Similarly, the cabin air filter prevents dust, pollen, and other pollutants from being blown through the air conditioning. It should be replaced every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.
Brakes
Brake pads should be replaced when there’s around 1/8 inch left, which is important for safety and maintenance. Without adequate brake pads, your car won’t be able to stop as quickly and could cause a collision. Plus, as the pads wear down, the brakes system start to grind together and cause worse wear and tear that could cause a premature major repair.
Engine
Your vehicle needs its oil and oil filter changed routinely to ensure the engine is properly lubricated. If the oil goes too long without being changed, debris will build-up and thicken the liquid so that it doesn’t work as well. This can cause natural wear and tear to accelerate, which means you might have to pay for costly repairs sooner than expected. If you’re not sure how often your vehicle needs an oil change, check the owner’s manual.
Essentially, even these basic routine maintenance tasks will prevent extreme wear and tear, premature damage, and higher gas costs which means lower long-term costs. Superior Service Center is prepared to help with preventative maintenance services and other repair needs that occur while owning a vehicle.