What Are The Most Important Vehicle Maintenance Tips?

Car ownership is a huge responsibility. In addition to making monthly payments, you need to make sure your vehicle is in top-notch condition. Doing so will allow you to operate it longer and sell or trade it in at a premium price. At Seminole Chevrolet Buick GMC, we recommend following these important vehicle maintenance tips. You have the choice of performing them on your own or scheduling an appointment with our service department. 

Your Best Friend: The Owner’s Manual

You may be thinking that your vehicle’s owner’s manual is boring and a complete waste of your time. While it’s not necessary to read the entire manual, it’s in your best interest to become familiar with the maintenance needs of your particular vehicle. It’s suggested you review the maintenance schedule and add the recommended tasks to your calendar. Remember, you want your car to be in the best shape possible. Referring to the owner’s manual will help make that happen.

Monthly Maintenance

Part of keeping your car or truck in good condition is taking care of tasks that may seem insignificant. These small yet important maintenance duties are essential to having a clean car that runs well while avoiding larger, more expensive problems. 

Clean Your Windshield

After a long road trip, your windshield may look like it’s been in the middle of an insect war. A windshield that is full of bugs, debris, and dirt, can quickly obstruct your view of the road. Depending on how often you drive, you may want to clean your windshield every time you stop at the gas station. Otherwise, giving it a good shine twice a month will keep your eyes on the road and not the bug battle that’s happening on your windshield.

Check Tire Pressure

Checking the pressure of your tires can save you money on both repairs and gas. When tires aren’t inflated to the recommended pressure, they become a safety hazard to you and your wallet. Vehicles with the correct tire pressure minimize the chance of getting a flat on the road and maximize your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, making that expensive tank of gas you just purchased last much longer. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your specific car in the owner’s manual.

Inspect Oil Level

Motor oil in your engine has an extremely important job. It lubricates all its moving parts preventing them from being damaged due to normal wear and tear. Oil also works as a cleansing agent by capturing combustion byproducts and running them through the oil filter. Without the right amount of oil, your vehicle will experience serious, and costly, damage.

Maintenance Every Three Months

Preventive maintenance tasks that should be performed every three months are vital to the life of your car. It doesn’t matter if your vehicle is brand new or an older model, changing the oil, checking all fluids, and examining belts and hoses can make a huge difference in how well your vehicle operates.

Change Oil and Oil Filter

You may already know the crucial role that motor oil plays in your car’s engine. Not only do you need to inspect the levels each month, but you should also change the oil every three months. An oil filter is a temporary tool that maintains the health of your car’s engine between oil changes. Typically every three months or 3,000 miles, both the oil and oil filter need to be replaced. 

Examine All Fluid Levels

In addition to changing the oil, all other fluids in your vehicle should be checked too. Brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and windshield washer fluid are imperative for a car or sport utility vehicle (SUV) to operate smoothly and efficiently. If you choose to take your vehicle to an auto service center for its oil changes, the trained technicians will also check and refill these other fluids.

Check Belts and Hoses

Belts and hoses are additional components that keep your vehicle in optimal condition. Hoses are responsible for directing coolant to various parts of the engine to prevent overheating. Hoses that are cracked or show damage should be replaced immediately. Well-running belts are also essential to preventing significant car or truck damage. Two of the most common belts, the serpentine and timing, can cause serious damage if they break while driving.

Annual Maintenance

These annual maintenance tasks are typical for the average vehicle. Be sure to double-check the owner’s manual in case they need to be performed sooner rather than later.

Rotate Tires

As you drive every day, your vehicle’s tires begin to form a natural wear pattern. Rotating your tires at least once a year, possibly more if you drive long distances, normalizes this pattern, providing you with a safe and smooth ride. It can also extend the life of your tires, saving you on expensive replacement costs.

Change Air Filter

Air filters should be changed every 12,000 miles or once a year. An air filter traps dirt, sand, and dust, preventing the engine from getting clogged with debris and contaminants. Replacing it each year protects your engine, increases fuel efficiency, and reduces harmful emissions.

Maintenance as Needed

Some vehicle maintenance tasks only need to be addressed as various issues arise. When you do notice signs or symptoms of these common repair problems, it’s recommended you schedule an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible.

Watch and Listen for Brake Issues

It’s probably not necessary to tell you just how important brakes are to a vehicle. When brakes are beginning to wear, you will typically hear or feel an issue while driving. These are indications that you should, at the very least, have them examined by a professional tire technician. Call a professional right away if you notice any of these signs or sounds:

• Brakes that feel sponge-like or soft, or if it takes more pressure than usual to stop your vehicle
• Brake sounds such as squealing, grinding, rattling, or any irregular or inconsistent noises

Replace Wiper Blades

Just like having a clean windshield, working wiper blades are essential to the safety of you and the passengers in your car. Wiper blades that leave streaks don’t clean well, or scratch the windshield can block your view of the road and make it very difficult to drive safely.

Following these important vehicle maintenance tips will keep your car healthy and happy for many years. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. and we’ll be happy to expertly maintain your car, truck, van, or SUV.

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