Preventative maintenance is one of the most critical aspects of vehicle ownership. Even your owner’s manual has a list of maintenance tasks that you should be scheduling at regular service intervals. Depending on the make or model, some services should be performed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Why Preventative Maintenance Is So Important
While mechanics are telling you to schedule preventative maintenance throughout the year, they are doing it for your own good. It is all about getting the longevity out of your vehicle. With the right service, your vehicle can easily reach 200,000 miles – or even more.
Additionally, preventative maintenance can help your vehicle run smoother. You will not have to worry about it breaking down on the side of the road, leaving you stranded and without reliable transportation. Plus, a properly maintained vehicle will have better fuel efficiency.
Top 5 Services to Focus On
There are several services you should focus on to ensure you keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.
1. Oil Change
The oil in your vehicle is responsible for helping with your engine’s overall performance. If the oil becomes too dirty, it can start to cause added wear and tear on the engine parts. For this reason, you want to replace it frequently so that parts remain well-lubricated.
There are various motor oil grades – and a Broward Auto mechanic can recommend what is right for you. Especially since Florida is so hot, you will want to use an oil with the correct viscosity level. Otherwise, it can pose a variety of problems when it comes to vehicle performance.
2. Tire Rotation
Tires are expensive, which means that you want to get as much life out of your tires as possible. Regardless of whether you have forward-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or even an all-wheel drive vehicle, you should have your tires rotated about every 5k miles.
The reason for the rotation is to ensure that your tires are wearing evenly. If the tread depth of one dips too low, you are more likely to experience a tire blowout or cause you to lose control of your vehicle, especially when it’s rainy and wet outside.
3. Air Filter Replacement
There are two air filters that should be replaced when they start to get too dirty.
The first is your engine air filter. This is the filter that is responsible for providing clean air for your engine to use during the internal combustion process. If the filter is dirty, the air will be, too. This can lead to internal combustion problems and also cause you to use more fuel than necessary.
The second is your cabin air filter. This is a part of your air-conditioning system. Especially in Florida, you want the coldest AC possible – and you want to ensure that you and your passengers breathe clean air. As such, this filter should be changed at least once a year, if not more often.
4. Wheel Alignment
A wheel alignment ensures that your wheels are aligned so that you get the full level of handling your vehicle can offer. With improper alignment, you can find it difficult to turn, you may have issues with the overall “feel” of the vehicle, and it can have a negative impact on tire wear.
If you drive on rough roads, over train tracks, or over potholes regularly, you may need a wheel alignment more than the recommended once a year. The good news is that you are less likely to encounter repairs and will have a smoother, safer ride.
5. Multi-Point Inspection
A multi-point inspection looks at a long list of things within your vehicle based on the make, model, model year, and mileage. This ensures that every system is being inspected so that you don’t get surprised by a problem down the road.
Some of the things explored include:
- Battery
- Belts
- Brakes
- Transmission
- Tire tread
- Fluid levels
There’s never a reason why you should guess whether your vehicle is running at peak levels. At Broward Auto in Sunrise, FL, we have certified service technicians who can perform all the preventative maintenance your vehicle needs. More importantly, if there’s an issue identified during the multi-point inspection, we can bring it to your attention.
Schedule your service appointment at Broward Auto today by calling 954.440.2623 or booking online.
