5 Car Maintenance Mistakes You May Be Making

Your vehicle is a big investment and requires a lot of things to perform optimally. Preventive car maintenance may seem like a pain sometimes, but it can often save you a lot of money in the long run. Here’s our list of 5 maintenance mistakes you may be making that can cost you a lot down the road.

Neglecting Checking and Changing Fluids

There are many fluids, in addition to engine oil, that are vital to keeping your vehicle operating optimally. Transmission fluid, coolant and brake fluid are three of the fluids you should make sure you’re checking – and changing – on time, according to your owner’s manual.

Ignoring the Check Engine Light

Your check engine light can indicate a number of problems. These problems can start out pretty simple, but they can escalate quickly. Bringing your vehicle in when your check engine light comes on can help you avoid very costly repairs down the road.

Skipping Oil Changes

Skipping oil changes is one of the most damaging things you can do to your vehicle. Your motor oil helps lubricate the many moving parts of your vehicle’s engine. Oil changes help to remove all the old oil and replace it with the new.

Not Changing Your Tires

Properly functioning tires are vital to the safety of you and your vehicle. As they get older, the tread gets shallower, and your tires lose traction and braking ability. Ensuring proper tire pressure and getting regular rotations and alignments are good ways to extend the life of your tires. There are many ways to tell if your tires need to be changed, but we’re always happy to take a look and give you our opinion.

Not Inspecting Your Brakes

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – your brakes are the single, most important safety feature on your vehicle. Squeaking and grinding noises that are coming from your brakes can make your vehicle unsafe for you and your passengers. Getting them inspected can tell you how serious the issue is, and this is not one you want to neglect.

Are you a guilty offender of any (or all) of these? We’re here to help! Come on in, or easily schedule your appointment online, and we’ll be happy to take a look and help you prioritize what car maintenance needs to be done.