Keep Your Car In Shape By Taking It To A Good Auto Repair Facility
You need to take good care of your car just like you would your body. A car needs special maintenance to keep it moving as well as to increase its lifespan. A vehicle is also an important asset; therefore, taking care of it will save you a lot of money that you would otherwise spend at a car mechanic. You will only need to deal with minor repairs at minimal costs if you use these tips to keep your car in top condition.
1. Check (and change) the oil
Oil is a crucial element in your car and it can’t move without it. A mechanic should regularly check your car’s oil and change it every 3,000-5,000 miles. Some oil manufacturers state that their oil lasts 10,000 miles. However, it is advisable to use the same oil without exceeding 5,000 miles. This will help maximize the reliability and efficacy of the engine for a long time.
2. Keep the interior clean
Cleaning and vacuuming the interior of your car keeps it in good shape. A neat looking interior also makes it marketable when it comes to selling. When inside the vehicle, you can be notified of any problems via a diagnostics cable. Ensure your VCDs are intact to alert you of any issue with specific parts of your car.
3. Replace the brakes
Most modern cars have braking systems made in a way that makes them easy to be replaced periodically. This makes the car maintain maximum braking efficiency. You have to be keen to notice any issue with your car brakes that require immediate checkup, as failed brakes can cause serious injuries.
4. Don’t wait to repair
It’s essential to learn about your car’s maintenance and repair basics. This will help you explain issues to your mechanic without being taken advantage of. Waiting to repair your car can lead to severe damage which could be even more costly than the original repair. When buying a car, you need to create a budget with an estimated cost of what you might spend on repairs and maintenance. Check the prices for spare parts or repair costs before you take your car to the shop.
5. Search for reputable mechanics
Chances are high that you will look for a competent doctor when you are sick. Similarly, you should treat your car the same way. Searching for a reputable, experienced, and trustworthy auto technician will help keep your car in good working condition. Therefore, search for dealerships that sell the specific car or an all-inclusive car shop directory. You can also get referrals from friends for a genuine auto repair expert.
Have cooling systems flushed and change coolants
Engine oil isn’t the only type of oil in your car that needs to be checked at regular intervals.While they don’t need to be checked and changed nearly as often, transmission and differential oils should be changed at specific times as well. A general rule of thumb is to change your transmission fluids every 30,000 miles, but you should consult your owner’s manual to see what is recommended for your make and model.
If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, there is no need to change differential fluid. Why? Because in front-wheel drives, the differential is located in the front and shares fluid with your transmission. In rear-wheel drives, the differential oil is located in the back, while four-wheel drives have three differentials – one in the front, one in the center, and one in the back. This differential oil should be changed at the same intervals as the transmission oil.
Change transmission and differential oils
If you’re having regular maintenance done to your car, particularly oil changes every 3,000 miles, maintaining your cooling system is easy to do. Start by checking your coolant every other time it is time to change the oil, or at least twice per year.
While it may be a good idea to check your coolants a couple of times a year, that doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be changed that often. In fact, it’s often sufficient to have it changed once every 2-3 years, or 24,000, to 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you drive in extremely hot temperatures, you may need to change your fluid more often, perhaps even as often as once a year. The build-up of corrosion and other deposits can be prevented by using a mixture of half coolant and half distilled water. This should be done once every year and will keep your cooling system in good working order for miles to come.
Check the Tires’ Air Pressure
Newer cars have a tire-pressure warning light to let you know that your tires are low on air, but older cars do not. In any case, it’s best to purchase a tire-pressure gauge at an auto-parts store for a few dollars and check your tire pressures to make sure they’re set correctly. Here’s what you need to know:
- A sticker on the driver’s door pillar lists the proper inflation pressure for when the tires are cold (meaning that you haven’t yet driven on them that day).
- If you set the pressures after you’ve been driving for a while (more than a few miles), they should be raised by three pounds per square inch, as tires warm up and pressures rise when they are driven on.
- Check your tire pressures once a month for a couple of months. If the pressures remain steady, you can check them quarterly, as you know the tires are holding air.
Advantages of Having Your Vehicle Serviced Regularly
Having your vehicle serviced regularly comes with many advantages to the vehicle, and you, the driver. Some of these advantages include:
Increases Driver Safety
No matter how well you can drive your vehicle, the safety of you and those around you relies heavily on how good the condition of your car is. Letting the condition of your car deteriorate over time increase your risk of an accident by fifty percent. A simple check of your tires, oil, and brake fluid can help to keep you and others on the road safe at all times.
Enhances Fuel Economy and Boosts Performance
These days, with the increase in fuel prices, it’s important to get the most out of your vehicle when driving. Having a regular vehicle service can mean the difference between a fuel guzzler and how efficient your vehicle can be. When a vehicle has been serviced, drivers have noted a ten to fifteen percent enhancement in their fuel economy. Not only that, but their vehicle’s performance also exceeded expectations.
Extends Your Cars Lifespan
These days, not everyone has the opportunity to replace their vehicle. Another advantage of having your vehicle regularly serviced and maintained is that it will extend the life of your vehicle greatly. This is why many manufacturers have warranties which state that all vehicles must be serviced, for the warranty to be effective. It’s important, however, to remember that, when having your car serviced, it needs to be serviced by a trained professional, and that the work carried out on the vehicle needs to be in accordance with the guidelines that have been set in place by the manufacturer.
Improves Selling Price
Regular maintenance of your vehicle will also help to ensure that you can sell your vehicle at a higher price, if needed. Buyers like vehicles that are well maintained and will generally pay a little more for a well-cared for vehicle. If you plan to sell your car at a later date, it’s important to keep this in mind if you want the best price for your used car.
Saves Unnecessary Costs
Servicing your vehicle regularly can help to reduce the risk of having to pay for preventable and unnecessary costs. For example, if the oil level isn’t checked, and it becomes low, it can cause the motor to seize up. This means the motor is no longer viable, resulting in a replacement motor which can cost you from $3000 and up, depending on the vehicle you own. Compare this to a small regular servicing, which could cost you a couple hundred dollars; it’s no wonder many people are opting for the regular service.
Tips for Good Auto Repair Service
Dog-ear your owner’s manual.
Yes, it’s your car’s bible! Knowing where to find information quickly can help in identifying causes when trouble arises. You may even be able to avoid a trip to the auto mechanic in the first place if you discover that your “problem” stemmed from not understanding your car’s controls. Beyond knowing the make and model of your vehicle, it also helps to have the specific trim level on hand for the service technician, as that often identifies the engine size and configuration, transmission and other included features that vary across the model line. Be aware of your exterior paint and interior color codes in case body or upholstery repair is necessary. Keep your vehicle identification number (VIN) available, as this code will likely be required when scheduling service.
Keep your records in order, and take them with you.
Have records available on everything you do to maintain your car — and keep them in the car if possible. Well-kept records can be instrumental in correctly diagnosing a vehicle problem the first time. Incomplete records can lead to redundant auto repairs that waste your time and money. A vehicle with a well-documented repair service history also tells your mechanic that you value first-rate work at the recommended intervals, and have done your part to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.
Is the technician trained on your specific vehicle make?
Cars and trucks today are extremely complex machines, and their unique characteristics vary heavily from brand to brand. Making certain that your technician has obtained the proper training for your specific vehicle is crucial since special tools and procedures — many of which are not easily available to the “average” auto mechanic — are required to correctly service your auto.
Is the service technician A.S.E.-certified?
Twice annually, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers auto service industry professionals the chance to become A.S.E.-certified. By passing a written test and having at least two years of work experience in auto repair service, auto mechanics earn A.S.E. certification, placing them among the top practitioners in the industry. Inquiring about A.S.E. credentials is important, as the designation better ensures the competence of your prospective car mechanic.