Many people do not plan for major car repairs or maintenance. The non auto enthusiast probably knows to get the oil changed every 3,000 miles or so, but other than that has an ‘if its not broke, don’t fix it’ attitude. When your windshield wipers leave streaks then you know to get new ones. If your car pulls to one side you might think to check your alignment.
Some car owners do not realize that regular preventive maintenance can save you money compared to repairing your vehicle after the fact. Small problems can be pushed aside temporarily but will often lead to larger related problems. Even in the best case scenario that it is just the cost of a tow, that is money that could be saved. Worst case could be that you need to replace the whole engine, which can very easily cost more than just purchasing a new vehicle.
Other people have figured this out as well, and most car manufacturers provide lists of regularly needed maintenance items. If an item has made it to the manufacturers maintenance list it is likely a common problem at the given mileage or age. Sometimes the manufacturer does not predict all the potential problems, so it pays to check up on Technical Service Bulletins. There are also Internet forums for most vehicles where people (like you) can post their specific experiences and recommend preventive maintenance schedules.
In addition to the money you would save with maintenance versus a repair, there is also the safety factor. With preventive maintenance you can help prevent accidents and keep yourself and your family safe on the road. In some cases a small problem might not be life threatening, such as slight streaking from your windshield wipers, but what if that streaking causes a larger blind spot when the rain picks up? Or an unprepared relative uses the car in an emergency? There are bigger, and less recognizable, issues as well – skipping a recommended timing service could go unnoticed – until a belt broke leaving you stranded and faced with a number of bills for tow, repair, rental…
With these things in mind, it pays to know your vehicle. Always get a list of recommended maintenance’s when purchasing a new car and check for forums created for/by other people who share the love for your same year, make, and model.
3 Comments
I totally agree with you. Regular maintenance prevents a major repair.
I’ll visit again. Thanks
Taka
My husband and i want to thank you for this outstanding instructive write-up. Seeking forward to come throughout a lot more posts like these with your website. Have a fantastic day.
I agree that preventive maintenance can save your money. Engaging to forums with the same make/model about car repairs could also help you give ideas and solutions.
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