Many people don’t know that neglecting car maintenance in order to save time and money will inevitably backfire. To prevent expensive repair bills down the line, remember to have the following basic car and tire maintenance services routinely performed at your local automotive repair facility.
Car Battery Care
The next time you go in for an oil change at a car repair shop, ask the technicians to test your car battery’s ability to hold a charge and to clean the terminals. During last year’s National Car Care Month inspections, 14% of vehicles had battery parts missing, loose or corroded and 9% of the batteries were not held down.
Tire Maintenance
Your tires also require extra attention and need to be checked once a month to ensure that they are inflated properly. During last years inspections, improper inflation was found on 10% of the vehicles and 14% had worn tread and were in need of replacement. Improper tire inflation can reduce your vehicle’s traction, tread life, and fuel efficiency. Many drivers also forget to get their tires rotated and their wheels aligned regularly; both of these services are inexpensive and will extend the life of your tires to save you money.
Fluid Flushes
Your car’s fluids—including the engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid—need to be checked routinely to make sure that they are at the right level and are not contaminated. As your vehicle ages, carbon deposits and grim form inside of the engine no matter how well you maintain it. These fluids need to be flushed out by a car repair technician on a regular basis to ensure the reliability and longevity of your vehicle’s sensitive engine components.
Brake Repair
Your vehicle’s brakes are built to function even when parts are worn out— however, this is not something that you should take advantage of. If your brakes vibrate or make a high-pitched squealing noise during braking, you need to have your entire braking system inspected by an auto repair technician. Check out our blog post on the warning signs that your brakes need to be inspected.
