It’s no secret that owning a car is a big responsibility. Not only do you need to think about how you will pay for your car, but you also need to think about how you will take care of your car. While cars do not require the maintenance that they used to, you still need to make sure you are keeping an eye on how your car is running and perform regular maintenance. Sticking to a maintenance schedule is a great way to keep your car running smoothly (and keep you on the road). But how often do cars need maintenance?
Performing regular car maintenance will help you prevent many problems, while also helping you detect issues before they develop into more serious issues. When we talk about car maintenance, we are talking about quite a number of things. In general, you want to ensure that your fluids are replaced and/or topped off, your safety mechanisms are working properly (such as windshield wipers and brake pads), and that the engine is running and functioning properly. While we will get into more details later, car maintenance includes:
When a car is new, it requires very little maintenance. But after about 36,000 miles you should start considering either taking your car in to get serviced regularly or performing your own maintenance and sticking to a schedule.
Dealerships and service departments will tell you that you need to service your car constantly, but in reality you should consult your owner’s manual and keep an eye on your car to determine when and how often maintenance should be performed. Your owner’s manual is written for your car specifically and gives realistic timetables for maintenance. Service departments have one main goal: to make money. And shaming you into getting oil changes and tire rotations as frequently as possible is a great way for them to do this.
More than anything, you should pay attention to your car to determine when maintenance is required. Here are some common indications that your car needs some attention.
The dashboard lights on your car are your first indicators that something needs attention. These lights may include:
If any of these lights are on, it could be something minor, or it could indicate a much more serious issue.
You know how your car drives, so you should notice when something just feels “off”. And when that something is your braking system, you definitely should not wait around to get it checked out.
If you notice that your car is suddenly less fuel efficient, it could be a sign of bad sensors or leaky fuel injectors.
Automatic transmissions should shift smoothly and seamlessly, so if you notice a lurching or clunking, it might be a serious problem with your transmission system.
Again, you should know how your car drives. So you should notice when there is a noticeable shift. Aside from the signs above, you should also keep an eye out for a lack of acceleration, excessive or abnormal vibrations, and trouble starting your vehicle.
While you should always consult your owner’s manual for specific maintenance timelines, there are some rough guidelines you can follow to create a car maintenance schedule that works for you.
If you notice any of the issues from above, you should bring your car in immediately to be diagnosed. If you have a check engine light, your mechanic can run a diagnostic test to determine the issue. Code readers will tell your mechanic what the issue is, and they can advise you on the best solution. Additionally, you should have your car serviced immediately for blown headlights or taillights and any tire pressure warnings.
Every month, you should do check up for your car where you look at the following:
Every three months you should do a check up that is a little bit more in depth. This should include checking the following:
There are a few maintenance steps you should perform twice a year. Every six months be sure to check the following:
Once a year your car will require the following maintenance.
Every two years your car will require the following maintenance.
Additionally, there are some car maintenance issues that are longer term that you will need to keep in mind. These include:
Car ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities, and maintenance is at the top of that list. Car payments are another thing that are on the top of that list, and if you are making payments on your financed car there’s a good chance you are overpaying every month. Contact Auto Approve today to find out just how much money you could be saving!