Taking the car to your mechanic is still important and should be done because there are things only a mechanic can do like tire aligning, checking the engine, etc.
Overall, car maintenance is extremely worthwhile because it will help your car make it as long as you need it to go.
Many of our customers are choosing to extend the life of their vehicles by scheduling factory recommended maintenance service on a timely basis; in addition they are having repairs made before they become major problems.
To help you keep your vehicle at its peak performance our service team has compiled a list of the top ten maintenance and repair items that you can easily and affordably perform to extend the life of your gas fueled or hybrid, car, truck or SUV.
Top Maintenance Services to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle
1) Change the Oil and Filter
Change your oil regularly to keep internal engine parts cleaner which lubricates the engine. By performing this, it catches and removes elements that are harmful to the engine. Prolonging oil changes can cause these damaging particles to create what is called "sludge" in the engine. This is the most important service you can do to extend the life of your car.
2) Change Air Filter(s) and Cabin Filter(s)
A dirty air filter prevents the necessary volume of clean air from reaching the engine which affects the emission control systems of the car; reducing air flow and causing a too rich air-fuel mixture which can foul the spark plugs. A clean air filter results in improved gas mileage, better acceleration, increased engine life, lower emissions and overall improved engine performance. Vehicles also have cabin filter(s) which are for the ventilation system. It will produce problems if it gets too plugged up with leaves and dirt.
3) Replace the Spark Plugs
Fouled spark plugs can create an engine miss-fire, rough idle and even starting problems.
4) Flush the Cooling System
A cooling system extends the life your radiator, heater and engine by flushing away dirt and rust particles that clog up the cooling system. Recommended flushing of cooling system every two years.
5) Perform Tire Maintenance
Regular tire rotation and proper inflation will increase fuel mileage and lengthen the life of the tires.
6) Change the Transmission Fluid
A transmission fluid change regularly can extend the life of the transmission. Performing a transmission service faithfully will alleviate possibility of major transmission failures.
7) Maintain the Brakes
Brake pads and shoes, if left neglected, your brakes will ultimately fail. This can cause damage to other, more expensive brake parts such as rotors, calipers and drums. Perform a yearly brake inspection to find and avoid potential problems before they become a major repair expense. Flushing your brake fluid every two years will also be a benefit.
8) Change your Fuel Filter and Fuel Injection Service
It is recommended that you change your fuel filter on a yearly basis. However, a yearly replacement really only applies to high mileage vehicles. If vehicles are used only on occasion or only drive short distances on a daily basis, then you can probably get away with a filter replacement every two or even three years. Fuel injection service extends the life expectancy of the injectors and can increase fuel mileage.
9) Replace the Timing Belt
A majority of manufacturers recommend timing belt replacement between 60,000 and 105,000 miles depending on make and model. Replacing the timing belt, before it breaks can save you a financial nightmare. If a timing belt breaks on an interface engine, you will have Bent valves, busted pistons, a cracked head, and possibly more extreme damage. This is very costly and want to avoid at all costs. If the belt fails on a non-interface engine, the engine will immediately shut down leaving you stranded. Timing Chains rarely break and will give you ample warning that they are going to fail. Also, as a rule of thumb, when replacing the belt is well worth getting your water pump replaced at the same time and less expensive due to the labor in replacing the water pump alone.
10) Perform an Annual or Seasonal Complete Vehicle Inspection
Have your vehicle inspected periodically extends the life of major components of your vehicle by diagnosing issues before they become major problems. Remember, getting your oil changed usually does not include a thorough and complete vehicle inspection.
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