Buying a car is one of the huge expenses one can incur. Sadly, most car owners are still not well-familiarized when it comes to standard automotive repair and maintenance. A simple way to ensure you get the most out of your lifetime investment is by performing routine, preventative maintenance service as recommended by your mechanic or as outlined in your owner’s manual.

Although car maintenance is sometimes inevitable, frequently carrying out checks could help avoid expensive repairs in the future. In general, this not only saves you lots of money, but it also ensures your vehicle is in proper working condition.

What Is the Significance of Regular Car Maintenance?

Apart from hurting your wallet, a poorly maintained vehicle can put you, and any other road user at risk. Generally, there are many forms of preventative maintenance, such as a full diagnostic service for your car or something as basic as changing the oil. So, what’s the significance of regular maintenance for your vehicle?

– Saving Money

Undoubtedly, one of the most key benefits of preventative maintenance is that it can save you tons of money in the long run. Your vehicle needs a lot of upkeep, and labor and part costs could get high based on the work being performed. If you want to make sure that you won’t overspend in the future, it would be best to a small amount to ensure that everything is running correctly.

For instance, something as simple as getting an alignment at a garage, and rotating your tires frequently, can save you from the inconvenience of prematurely replacing all your tires. This is generally a comparison of $200 and $800-$1,000. Your tires’ tread wear down with time, often so on one particular side than the other. In case you have the tires rotated, you enable the other side’s tread to wear down more evenly, prolonging the life and your tires’ tread. If you let the tread to bald on one side, whereas the other side remains as is, it might alter your vehicle’s ride, and lead to a burst tire.

Generally speaking, tires aren’t the only thing you can save money on. Frequently changing brake pads could prevent your calipers and rotors from getting damaged, an oil change could increase your engine’s longevity, and getting a tune-up will keep your electrical in good condition.

– Safety Precautions

At HEART Certified Auto Care, there are many reasons – besides financial reasons – why they recommend preventative maintenance to their clients. Their primary reason for offering preventive maintenance service is for safety purposes. As you might know, your car takes some beating over time, barreling down the freeway at high speeds, beating the summer heat, and driving into potholes. You wouldn’t want something to give out on you during any of your excursions and leave you stranded roadside.

Although most of the HEART’s preventative maintenance methods are small and much affordable, they make a significant impact on your vehicle’s longevity. Something as simple as carrying out a diagnostic run on your vehicle’s warning lights can save you from engine malfunction on the middle of the freeway. Fortunately, at HEART Certified Auto Care, they think of their clients like family, and they always want their family to be safe. Worried about the shaky handling, strange smells, or noises of your vehicle? Stop by HEART’s and let one of their experienced mechanics resolve any problems sooner rather than later.

In summary, most serious car issues affecting your transmission and engine are preventable with a routinely scheduled maintenance service. Check out a professional auto repair shop or go through your manufacturer-issued owner’s manual to discover more about what preventive maintenance service your car needs, and how frequent they require to be conducted. Basic maintenance services, including fluid inspection and oil change, will significantly extend your automobile’s life.

– Improve Fuel Mileage

Undoubtedly, visiting your local mechanics for your regular maintenance will significantly help improve your car’s mileage. If you fail to change your vehicle’s engine air filter or motor oil will negatively impact your vehicle’s gas mileage. In case it’s left unattended, it will accelerate the wear and tear on your car’s engine. As a general rule, you ought to carry out a regularly scheduled oil change service after 3,000 miles.

What Does Routine Preventive Maintenance Involve?

As of now, you already have a clue of what to expect in regular preventive maintenance service. Here’s a look at what it really entails:

– Regular Oil Change

Generally, the first maintenance service a vehicle gets directly from the manufacturer is a proper oil change. The service is typically carried out the moment your brand-new vehicle clocks about 500 miles. It is often during this break-in period that a few engine components start to come together. With time, small metal pieces break off and mix with the engine oil. If you get a professional oil change service, it will help flush out all debris. Ultimately, this keeps your engine healthy and functioning at optimum performance. Routine oil maintenance is necessary every 3,000 miles.

– Battery Replacement and Maintenance

You obviously know that without a battery, your car’s engine will not crank and start. The lifespan varies depending on your battery’s brand, and they often range from 1-2 years. There’s no need to wait for your battery to malfunction to buy a new one.

– Transmission checkup

When it comes to performing repairs, your transmission is probably the most costly component of your vehicle. Without your transmission, the engine can’t turn the power it generates to the wheels to get the vehicle moving. For this reason, to avoid transmission-related problems, it is essential to schedule routine inspections, such as getting a fluid flush as needed.

– Tire and Brake Inspection Service

In most situations, faulty brakes are the primary reason for highway accidents. It shows how powerful proper functioning brakes are to your vehicle and overall safety. As a general rule, you ought to check your suspension system and brakes every time you carry out an oil change service. If you have worn out tires, your brakes won’t work. Besides, it will be challenging to control your car if conditions suddenly become wet, and the roads become slippery. If you want your four tires to last a relatively long time, schedule a professional tire rotation service per 3,000 miles to help even the impacts of wear and tear.

– Belt change

In general, your vehicle uses many belts to run correctly, such as the power steering belt, drive belt, timing belt, and the fan belt. After prolonged use, these belts start to wear off, and if left unattended, they might snap and cause severe damage to your engine. Check out a professional auto repair shop or go through your manufacturer-issued owner’s manual to discover more about belt change service information. Based on your vehicle, there is a need for a timing belt service every 60,000 miles.

Call HEART Certified Auto Care

Are you looking for a preventive car maintenance service? HEART Certified Auto Care offers the best auto repair services. Some of these services include preventative car maintenance, oil changes, check engine light repair, auto tune-up service, battery service, clutch repairs, transmission service and repair, and many more.

You can find HEART Certified Auto Care shop in 3 locations: Wilmette, Illinois, Northbrook, Illinois, and Evanston, Illinois.

Book an appointment now! The customer service representatives will gladly guide you through. Remember, frequently maintaining your vehicle will help enhance its functionality and prolong its lifespan.