If you don’t perform regular maintenance checks on your vehicle, you could run into some costly repair bills. And while maintenance tasks will cost you money, they can also help to save you money. A quick maintenance task of $30 can help you to spot a potential $500 problem before is hits, thereby saving you a great deal of money in the long run. Let’s take a look at some of the many reasons why preventative maintenance is so highly recommended by mechanics.
What Makes Preventative Maintenance so Important?
The main reason that most people engage in preventative maintenance tasks is because it can save them a great deal of money on hefty repair bills. As an example, a simply oil check can help you spot signs of low oil levels that can indicate leaks. Repairing a leak that is found will cost you money, but not nearly as much as it would cost you to replace the entire engine if the leak was never found and all oil leaked out of it.
In addition to saving you money, preventative maintenance can also improve the performance of your vehicle (helping to keep you safe), as well as extend its lifespan.
What do I Need to Check Regularly?
- Brake fluid levels – If you notice that the level of your brake fluid suddenly drops, you may have a leak. When leaks are not dealt with properly, hydraulic pressure can decrease which can, in turn, affect your braking abilities and reduce your safety on the roads. You should check your brake fluid levels at least once a month and change them at regular intervals.
- Motor oil – Your vehicle’s motor has several different jobs. Not only does it cool and clean the engine, but it also protects and lubricates it. As such, it is essential for your vehicle to function properly. If you don’t change your motor oil at regular intervals, you could cause damage to your engine, eventually leading to engine failure (and a very costly repair bill).
- Oil filters – Your oil filter holds a very important job; it helps to prevent dirt and particles from reaching, and causing damage to, your engine. Be sure to change your oil filters on a regular basis to prevent engine damage.
- Air filters – Like oil filters, air filters also help to keep dirt away from your engine and should be changed regularly.
- Transmission fluid – Transmission fluid is what your vehicle uses to help shift from gear to gear effortlessly. Without it, you could experience transmission failure – another hefty repair bill. Change your transmission fluid often.
- Coolant – Coolant is used within a vehicle’s cooling system to prevent it from overheating. What would happen if your vehicle overheated? The engine would be destroyed and you would be stuck at home! Check your coolant levels often and change it anytime the fluid becomes discolored.
When it comes to vehicles, there are many different maintenance tasks that need to be performed. As such, the tasks listed above are just a few of the many and are designed simply to get you started. As a general recommendation, you should take your vehicle in for regular maintenance checks every 3000 miles. Doing so could prevent you from ending up with a $1000 repair bill.
See our post about Learning About Auto Fuel Systems.