Oil Changes
The need for regular oil changes cannot be stressed enough. Without enough good, clean oil, an engine is at risk for expensive failure, as metal parts rubbing together at high speed need lubrication. Knowing a few things about oil changes can help avoid large repair bills later on.
With modern synthetic oils, the average driver doesn’t need to adhere to the traditional oil-change-every-3,000-miles rule. While many vehicle manuals will specify how long to wait between oil changes, there is one important caveat to the details provided in the manual: a car that regularly drives through heavy, stop-and-go traffic or operates during extremely hot or cold temperatures might need oil changes more frequently.
Though one can rely on a mileage count to know when to change the engine’s all-important lubricant, it’s also easy to tell by looking. This is especially important as the vehicle ages, as some vehicles start to leak or burn oil faster than others. With the engine off, wait for the car to cool down, open the hood, and find the dipstick. The oil on the dipstick should rest within the marks for MAX and MIN and ideally be somewhere between a golden color and a light brown, with no metal shavings in the oil. Don’t panic if the oil is a bit dark, though. Oil is meant to catch the dirt and grime in your engine.
Since oil changes are the most consistent maintenance a vehicle will need, having the tools available to get it done or to find a reliable mechanic is important. Look at reviews for local auto repair shops and shop around for deals like one would when utilizing the best casino bonus deals with casinos.com or using an e-commerce platform like Amazon.
Tires, Brakes, and Safety
Fluids like oil are essential to a vehicle’s function, but let’s not forget about two of the most critical pieces of car safety equipment: tires and brakes. Tires are where the rubber hits the road, so good treads are required to stop when you intend to. Thankfully, tires are about the easiest equipment to check. Most vehicles have reliable air pressure monitoring systems, though having a manual tester helps, too. It’s also a good idea to get a tread depth gauge, which is very inexpensive. As the vehicle tires age, the tread depth should be monitored to ensure the tread is more than 2/32 of an inch deep. A good mechanic will also monitor this for you and report back if there are any issues.
The Small Things
Vehicle maintenance goes well beyond the engine, tires, and brakes. While headlights can last tens of thousands of hours, replacing them before they burn out is a good idea to avoid the risk of driving in the dark without lights. The same goes for windshield wipers. While drivers don’t use them daily, they are necessary during heavy rain and snow.
The interior of the vehicle also needs maintenance and probably some cleaning. Throw out any fast food wrappers and drinks to keep smells at bay. The car will even feel younger and newer when free of odors. Many vehicle owners need to have their vehicle thoroughly detailed before selling to make the smell more appealing to a new buyer, and this process can cost a couple of hundred dollars or plenty of do-it-yourself time.
Saving Money with Maintenance
For most people, vehicles are a sizable investment in money and convenience. Unfortunately, this investment can become more expensive if the car’s needs are ignored. If drivers don’t maintain their vehicle regularly, they risk spending a lot more money on new parts and the labor to install them. In addition, issues with safety systems like tires and brakes put drivers at a higher risk of an accident, which can be very costly and dangerous.
Maintenance also impacts a vehicle’s resale value. A car with a bad motor or transmission is worth little to anyone, so the trade-in or sale price will drop dramatically. When trying to sell or trade a car, assume that the dealership or private buyer has access to all the vehicle’s service records, though a savvy and prepared seller will have the documents on hand. This paperwork proves that the owner cared for the car and could earn more money as the vehicle is less risky.
In the long run, proper maintenance can save money in more ways than one. Insurance companies could gradually raise vehicle premiums when multiple tows are needed, regardless of why. Meanwhile, drivers who work an hourly job miss out on part of a paycheck when they can’t get to work. Therefore, getting maintenance done ahead of time is always a good idea.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance is crucial for a vehicle’s long-term value and safety. A car with a consistently serviced engine will likely last longer and be worth more to a buyer or car dealer, and frequent inspections of brakes and tires will help you stay safe on the road.
