Avoid Emergency Auto Repair - Stay Current on Routine Maintenance

Few things are more frustrating in life than sitting on the side of the road with a broken down vehicle. While some issues are completely unavoidable, most problems that require auto repair can be prevented or at least detected. During routine maintenance checks, your mechanic will look for signs of wear and tear and will let you know that necessary repairs are imminent. Obviously, not all problems can be predicted, but many can be planned for and warded off.

Your local auto repair shop can perform routine maintenance checks on your vehicle. You should consult your owner's manual to find out what is recommended by the manufacturer and when the service should be performed. Most will recommend that you have an oil change every 3,000 miles (typically about every 3 months). The manufacturer might recommend that you change the spark plugs or air filter at different intervals, and it is important to note these things and take them into account when planning maintenance on your car.

The most common service performed as part of the routine maintenance of a vehicle is an oil change. An oil change is fairly simple and can be performed by the car owner. However, it can be a messy job. Additionally, by the time you purchase the oil and the filter, it is only slightly more expensive to have the oil change completed by a professional. Many oil change facilities offer customer loyalty pricing or coupon offers. Watch for these in your area if you are on a budget and trying to cut costs.

During service visits, your mechanic will likely check fluid levels, tire pressure, and a myriad of other aspects of the health of your car. Be sure to ask your mechanic for recommendations regarding maintenance that is coming due or issues that you seem to be having with your car. Many problems are simple enough to solve if you catch them at the beginning instead of waiting for them to worsen.

Failing to have routine maintenance checks performed on your vehicle can be detrimental in two significant ways. First of all, you cannot expect a car to run indefinitely without some sort of mechanical issue if you are not taking it to the auto repair shop for oil changes, system checks and other maintenance. Secondly, failing to perform the tasks outlined in the owner's manual may negate any warranty that you have. Most manufacturers only honor their warranty if you have properly cared for the vehicle in the first place. It is important to save any and all receipts that pertain to the upkeep of your car. A designated envelope or folder is a great place to store these documents so that you can prove that service was performed at the proper time should a warranty issue arise.

Taking care of your car will go a long way in increasing the effectiveness of the engine and transmission in the years to come.