Your vehicle is one of your most significant assets, and making sure it works will help you have more extended use of it and enjoy the benefits of having your own transportation.
Vehicle maintenance should be a habit because, in doing so, you ensure unwanted breakdowns and uncalled-for part failures. But not everyone has the mind of an auto mechanic, but having some tips on what to check for or what to know is a plus for any driver. So let’s go, as we explore why maintenance should be a habit.
Vehicle Maintenance Overview
According to AAA, milage-based services should occur every 5 miles while tackling issues that are prone to occur in extremely dusty, hot or cold regions. These services are weather based. Towing heavy loads is also monitored and requires 5 miles or fewer service. When vehicle maintenance should be a habit, the driver must consider many aspects of their vehicle and even small checks between service intervals.
Once each month
An auto repair company can offer various aspects each month, include oil check and change, fluid top up, tire pressure wear and tear.
Oil level check – Checking the oil periodically is important. This should be done while the vehicle’s power is turned off and the vehicle stands on a straight surface. Use the dipstick to check the oil level, if it looks low, you can manually top it up. You can have additional oil at home or purchase some in the garage.
Fluid top-up – If you try using the wiper fluid and see the levels are low, let alone nothing coming out, then you can add some more into the wiper fluid section you’ll find under the hood. You can also top up the coolant fluid, which doesn’t need flushing out like when you’re changing oil.
Checking the tire pressure is also very important, and you can also add more air into the tires if it just seems a bit low. At the same time, checking for cracks, and tire tread depth is also important. You may need to replace your tires if the depth isn’t sufficient.
Once every three months
The service for every three months incorporates transmission fluid replacement that helps with gear shifts. This service period also includes the brake fluid being topped to the correct levels, as this is essential for the functions of the brake.
Your transmission fluid can be topped up like the coolant and wiper fluid, but only if the liquid is still in good shape to continue using. If not, the mechanic will drain the old liquid, replace it with fresh transmission fluid, and top it up as required. It should never be overfilled as that will cause spillage, and not topping it up or having it filled will cause transmission failure.
After six months
Windshield wiper blades and power steering maintenance.
Windshield wiper blades can be changed manually; you don’t have to take it to the car dealer service center. If you find it harder to replace when doing it yourself, you can take it in to be changed out at the auto center. Power steering maintenance has to be done at the workshop as the mechanics have all the tools and equipment to take the car apart as required to get to the parts.
Mechanics Are Safer Than DIY Repair
A DIY auto repair service is okay to a certain extent. For instance, changing your tire on the roadside if you never had any other alternative for help but to do it yourself. You can also do DIY when replacing a light bulb on your car, but not all covers are straightforward to open and get to the bulb. Sometimes, you need to use special tools and contort underneath the car to reach in place. But there are many auto repairs that only a professional car mechanic can do.
An auto body repair company can work with many car brands, and if you take your vehicle to the manufacturer, you’re guaranteed to get premium parts and authentic parts too. Working with a professional can help you do the job more safely and efficiently. Can you imagine not replacing a part exactly as it is supposed to be? It could pose various dangerous risks, to say the very least. Using mechanics is much safer than doing a DIY skit in your car. Oftentimes, it’s worth paying that money to get the job done properly than to skimp and save at risk.
Your Car Has Interconnected Systems
Cars have interconnected systems that operate using electronics and other mechanical features that cause the vehicle to function. The electronics often require special attention, especially when diagnostics, to check what might be the problem when a customer comes in with an issue with their car. Vehicle maintenance should be a habit, even when it’s going to the professionals. Checking that the electronics and onboard computer work will ensure other functions are working too. Since many aspects of the car, including sensors, door locks, infotainment systems, airbags, and others, work with electronics, it is imperative to have it looked after.
Having air conditioning repairs done at a professional company will help you get the job done right. After all, you want to spend the days of summer driving in comfort as you travel everywhere. When the AC doesn’t work, the heat in some states becomes unbearable. You can get ac repairs at affordable rates, either at a certified auto repairs shop or the actual manufacturer’s workshop.
Your AC might need repairs when you turn it on, but it doesn’t function. You can also tell it needs fixing when there are weird noises coming from the vents or car. You may also notice water stains on the ground and also terrible smells from the vents or when you try using the air conditioner system in the car.
Functional Cars Prevent Accidents
Vehicle maintenance should be a habit because it keeps motorists secure on the road. When all a vehicle’s parts are functional, it will create a safer drive as everything works as it is supposed to. A lot of factors are at risk when they don’t function properly. For example, some cars are fitted with sensors to avoid collisions, but when the sensors are not working because of the electronic issues, then this feature won’t kick in as it is supposed to. The same applies to everything else including the other driver support systems.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recorded more than 39,000 fatal accidents in 2021, with 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people. Functional cars can prevent accidents, but sometimes other aspects are at play, like drivers under the influence of alcohol or narcotics and faulty vehicle parts causing road accidents. Car accident injury attorneys take on hundreds of thousands of cases each year. It is expensive for legal representation, and avoiding being in that situation helps.
You Can Protect Any Exterior Investments
One of the wonderful things about having a car is that you can protect the paintwork to a degree. Paint can cost a fortune to repair even a small patch of paint; the more exclusive the color, the more expensive it becomes. According to Insurance Navy Brokers, a breakdown from one of their articles suggests estimated paint repairs can cost $150-$300 for scratches, further paint damage could cost around $800 and painting your entire car can estimate to be over $1,000. It is a hefty price, and the good news is you can secure your paintwork to prevent damage with auto wrapping.
Auto wrapping a vehicle is exactly like the name suggests and the car is wrapped with a PVC (Polyvinylchloride). Vinyl is made from special blends of material that are baked and undergoes a curing process while still being flexible and pliable. The PVC used in wrapped vehicles adheres to the original paint without causing any damage. When the car is damaged, the paint can become scratched. In this case, with a wrapped vehicle, the plastic-like flexible coat takes the punch and not the actual paintwork of the car.
A car detailing service is another method of treating scratches and lighter paint damage. It has a buffering system and various steps that take place before the actual swirls or other paint damage is removed. The buffer like process takes a very light layer of paint off in some way it works like buffing nails or filing nails. Next, there will be wax and other protective treatment coatings to seal the work and restore the previously chipped or scratched paintwork.
You Won’t Encounter Any Tow Yard Fees
According to Investopedia, tow yard fees can cost around $110, but this rate can differ in different states. You’ll have to pay towing fees in case that your vehicle is towed away after an accident or parked in the wrong place. But when vehicle maintenance should be a habit, you intend regularly servicing your car that it won’t end up at a towing yard. Towing services are essential and beneficial to have on the roads as they provide safe removal of cars damaged and undamaged. The tow companies are quick and operate at 24/7 hours. Their trucks have special kits that allow the car to lift and store safely and efficiently.
A car hauler comes to the scene of an accident to collect damaged cars off the road after all the legal protocols have taken place.
According to Indeed Jobs, car towing drivers can earn about $40,000 on the low end, an average $80,000, and on the high-end $142,000.
Zip Recruiter concluded that towing is one of the most popular jobs in 2023. Some thriving tow-related jobs include car towing, towing recovery, heavy-duty towing, international tow trucking, and more.
Your Insurance Rate Will Stay Low
Lower insurance rates are welcomed by everyone. Why pay more when you can save a few dollars? Insurances consider older cars a higher risk and require extra maintenance because of their wear and tear over the years. Even when you do service the older car regularly, you may still need to pay more as an older car is more prone to issues.
Car insurance is crucial to have because it helps in the event of an emergency, and you’d have to pay to repair or replace a vehicle that was in an accident. Insurance can help reduce the out-of-pocket fees of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
In most states of America, insurance is compulsory for everyone who owns a vehicle, and this is essential as mentioned above. If a driver causes the accident, their insurance can pay the other party the fees required. Sometimes insurance fees can also cover medical expenses and the costs related to the accident. It may also cover uninsured, underinsured motorists, liability of a death per person, death per accident, and personal injury. However, it is important to keep in mind that the insurance payouts differ in each state and the premiums per month is also subject to the type of coverage and the state in which you’re applying for it.
You’ll Keep Your Vehicle in Good Shape
You can keep your vehicle in good condition by doing regular car services like a car oil change, spark plugs if you’re driving a gas variation, and other components like the oil filter, more. Some components within the engine need changing periodically because they take the most wear and tear while driving. Parts like tires, brake disks, and shocks can last long before they need replacing.
Keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape will go a long way in ensuring that you can drive with full peace of mind each time you step inside your car. Regular maintenance also helps cut down bulky costs in replacing items that had fully broken down due to continued missed maintenance. Your car is your mode of transport, and you should be able to rely on it to get from point A to B without having to worry. So invest in your car’s well-being and invest in your peace of mind.
