Top 5 Tips for Maintaining your Vehicle
October 15th, 2009 Posted in Tips and Advice
Maintaining your vehicle is one of the most important parts of owning one. Proper maintenance will keep your car running smoother longer and keep you away from lengthy stays in repair facility waiting rooms. Additionally, many warranties and vehicle service contracts are void if regular maintenance of the vehicle is not performed.
We highly recommend keeping maintenance records and receipts organized, not only for yourself and per the terms of your contract (if applicable), but for providing a future buyer with documentation showing your attentiveness to their new investment.
The following is a brief list of some of the basic regular maintenance recommendations to follow:
1. Battery
Ask your technician to make sure the battery cover is in place and the battery is properly anchored. Also ask them to clean it of any corrosion, especially the electrical posts. This maintenance will keep your battery operating longer.
2. Brakes
A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes checked every 6,000 to 7,500 miles, which is the same time tire rotation is recommended.
3. Check-Engine Light
The check-engine light is your car’s early warning system that something is not right with your vehicle. It could be something simple like a loose gas cap or spark plug wire, or it can be something more serious. Don’t put it off, take your car in immediately and have it checked out by a technician. Continuing to operate a vehicle experiencing problems is not only unsafe, it can cause further damage to your vehicle and/or void any coverage protection you may have invested in.
4. Coolant System
To avoid metal corrosion, you should thoroughly flush your coolant system and replace with appropriate antifreeze at least every two years. Make sure to use the proper coolant mix, check the coolant reservoir monthly, and top it off as needed.
5. Oil Change
Oil changes keep your engine clean and running smoothly. Many vehicles can go as many as 7,000 miles before an oil change is necessary, depending on the type of vehicle. Generally, an oil change should be done every three months or 3,000 miles, or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Tags: auto, car, claims, contract, coverage, dealership, maintenance, manufacturer, mechanic, repair, service, vehicle, warranty