Important Vehicle Maintenance

 

 

Vehicle repairs can be expensive.  That's why keeping up with routine vehicle maintenance is important.  As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are a few things you can do to prevent or delay a big bill later. 

 

Oil changes are one of the top things you can do for your vehicle to keep it running smoothly (literally).  Engine oil help lubricate engine parts, increases your vehicle fuel efficiency, help prevent engines from overheating, and regular oil changes can prevent build up in your engine.

 

Air Filter Changes.  Air filters prevent all kinds of foreign particles from getting into your engine. Things like dirt, pollen, bugs, etc are blocked by the air filter before it gets to your engine. Given the job they do, they become dirty. The dirtier they become the less air that gets through to your engine.  The less air that gets through to your engine, the more it can hamper engine performance. 

 

Oil Filter Changes.  As the name suggests, oil filter filter oil of foreign particles. This can be things like dirt, build up, or even metal or rust. These things over time could cause damage to the engine.  A filter can only last so long though. Let an oil filter go too long and you're basically just recirculating dirty oil through the engine. 

 

Check Fluids Regularly.  Checking your oil levels, coolant levels, windshield washer fluid, etc Can help save your engine or make your drive safer.  You don't want to be driving down the road with your windshield splattered and realize then you're out of windshield washer fluid.  Checking your oil levels regularly can help you become more aware of a more serious problem, such as an oil leak, later. 

 

Checking Brake pads.  If you have the know-how, you can do this yourself.  Otherwise you can ask your mechanic to do this when you take your vehicle in for oil changes, or other maintenance.  Keeping up on your brake pads can save you a lot of money. Letting brake pads wear down too far can cause damage to the rotors and eventually the calipers.  It's a lot easier and cheaper to replace brake pads regularly than the whole breaking system. 

 

These are just a few ideas to help keep your vehicle running.  It's a lot cheaper to replace a filter or brake pads than to worry about replacing an engine or the braking system later.