If I were to mention to you about the value of preventative car maintenance, would you wonder why you should pay for replacing a part before it breaks? Most people do. However, it’s really quite simple. If your goal is to keep your vehicle running efficiently, and for as long as possible, making a commitment to preventative car maintenance is a must. You’ll also find that preventive car maintenance will save you money over your vehicle’s lifetime. Read on to learn about the 4 most important preventative car maintenance measures.
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- Regular Oil Changes: Talk about the lifeblood of your engine! At a cost of $20-$40 for a conventional oil change (or about $60-$80 for a synthetic oil change), you’ll find regular oil charges to be the least expensive service and best way to keep your car’s engine running well. In fact, regular oil changes will extend engine life and help you prevent major breakdowns.
- Tire Rotations and Wheel Alignments: By making a commitment to having tires rotated regularly, you’ll get the most mileage out of them AND you’ll save on gasoline costs. Equally important is having the wheels aligned at least once a year. Tire rotations can easily be incorporated into your vehicle maintenance schedule if you have the service done every time the oil is changed. See more information on the keys to proper tire maintenance here.
- Fluid Flushes: Like the engine oil, there are other vital fluids that need to be replaced on a regular schedule. Coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid are designed to lubricate and keep these different systems operating properly. In time, these fluids break down and don’t offer the same amount of protection. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended schedule on replacing all these fluids or ask the Country Road Auto technicians the next time you’re in our shop.
- Timing Belt Replacement: I recently posted an article on timing belts (click here to read). Though timing belt replacement is thought of as a major maintenance service, it’s well worth the investment. If the belt breaks, your car’s engine can be severely damaged. In the entire scheme of things, it’s a lot less expensive to replace a timing belt than it is to replace your car’s engine because the belt breaks.
When it comes to preventative car maintenance, the technicians at Lincoln Park, New Jersey’s, Country Road Automotive will alert you to any upcoming maintenance or repair needs. We conduct a courtesy inspection each time you bring your vehicle in for service or repair. Click here to make an appointment with Country Road Automotive for your next preventative car maintenance service.