4 Maintenance Issues You Should Never Skip

When things get busy, it can be easy to skip over recommended vehicle maintenance. However, there are a few vehicle maintenance tasks that you might want to reconsider rescheduling.

1. Tire Rotations

Many drivers falsely believe that you can forget about your tires until you have a flat or it comes time to replace them. The condition of your tires not only affects your fuel efficiency, but also the safety of your vehicle. Older tires, with worn-out threading, are at a greater risk of blowing out. Additionally, if you wear down your tires unevenly, you will have to replace them much sooner.

During a tire rotation, the mechanic will move your front tires to the back and vice versa. Tire rotations keep even threading on each of the tires, which can improve overall performance and help to prolong the life of your tires.

2. Oil Change

Most experts recommend having your oil changed somewhere between 3,000-5,000 miles. Depending on how often you drive, this could be every couple of months. It might be tempting to skip an oil change in order to save time or money, but regular oil changes might be more important than you think. 

Oil changes ensure that your vehicle is running properly. During an oil change, the mechanic removes the old oil and replaces it with new oil. This prevents debris and contaminants from building up in your engine. The minimal cost of regular oil changes can improve your fuel efficiency while also protecting your engine.

3. Fluid Levels

Your vehicle has many different fluids including the radiator, transmission, power steering, and brake fluids. A necessary step in your vehicle’s maintenance is regularly inspecting these fluid levels. If the fluid levels are low, they should be topped off immediately in order to prevent damage to your vehicle.

Each of these fluids plays an important role in maintaining the condition and safety of your vehicle. The radiator fluid prevents your engine from overheating. Transmission fluid is responsible for keeping your transmission well lubricated. Power steering fluid helps you turn your steering wheel. Brake fluid keeps your brakes well lubricated and ready to use. During a routine vehicle maintenance inspection, your mechanic will check the level of your vehicles most important fluids.

4. Brake Inspection

During a routine maintenance appointment, your mechanic will also check the condition of your brakes. Over time, your brake pads will wear down with normal usage. Brakes are crucial and if you are not able to come to a complete stop when necessary, it can be very dangerous. Routine brake inspections can also save you money. Waiting too long to have your brakes checked might mean that you have to fully replace them which can be more expensive than regular maintenance.

Skipping over important vehicle maintenance can lead to expensive repairs, inconvenient break downs, and even a dangerous situation. Before you consider skipping over your next maintenance appointment, evaluate the risk of doing so and what it could mean for your vehicle. Come by Palm Coast Ford today for all your vehicle maintenance needs.

Image via Flickr by mrsdkrebs used under CC BY 2.0

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