Time for a Checkup? Five Important Reasons for Car Maintenance

September 2011

Cars and trucks need a little tender love and care too.

Taking care of a personal vehicle isn’t just getting it fixed when there is a serious failure. The way to get the most out of a car is by developing a maintenance schedule and sticking to it.

Simply monitoring a car or truck’s oil levels, tire pressure, tire wear, coolant levels, battery terminals, brake fluid and air filters can have direct benefits on the road. Here are five ways that regular car maintenance pays for itself.

Car owners aren’t helpless when it comes to extending their vehicles gas mileage. Simply making sure a car’s tires are properly inflated can improve mileage up to 3.3% or $0.11 per gallon according to the United States Department of Energy. Under inflated tires can lower the gas mileage a vehicle even if they are off by just a single psi.

1. Extra Gas Mileage

And that is just one of the many simple maintenance checks that improve fuel economy. A clean air filter (2-6%), the proper oil grade (1-2%) and engine maintenance (4%) can all improve fuel efficiency.

Unexpected mechanical failures can be prevented to avoid costly major repairs. Major components like a car’s engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes and air condition can last longer with proper fluid levels and regular fluid changes. Fluids get dirty over time and leaving them unchecked can damage the component with the old fluid along with other parts of the vehicle. Low fluid levels can have the same effect.

2. Minimize Breakdowns

If a car is low on transmission fluid, the transmission itself is at risk, but so are the gears and carriers around it.

Simple maintenance has a direct effect on car performance. Under inflated tires is the leading cause of tire failure. Blowouts on the road can be extremely dangerous and regular pressure checks along with vehicle inspections can prevent those types of accidents.

Similarly, properly aligned tires, correct fluid levels and replacing worn belts or hoses all have safety benefits as well.

3. Improved Passenger Safety

A well-maintained car is a worth more to dealerships. Cars depreciate in value as they get older, but the quality of care and maintenance has a definite impact on a vehicle’s resale value. Keeping the car ‘clean’ on the inside is just as important as the outside appearance. Years of neglect add up and take dollars off the potential trade-in or sale value.

4. Better Resale Value

Nothing is more important than having a reliable transportation option. Routine maintenance is the single best way to ensure a vehicle will be safe, efficient and dependable.

What else do you do to give your car the TLC it needs?

5. Drive with Confidence

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