Tuesday, June 28, 2011

How Preventative Maintenance Can Keep Your Car Running Longer

By Levi Quinn

It is no secret that cars are expensive to maintain. Oil changes, tire rotations, filter changes, and regular tune-ups can take their toll on your bank account. But did you ever stop to consider how much these preventative services were saving you in the long run by keeping your car from having major (and majorly expensive) issues? Not replacing the oil for too long can cause your motor to stop working, which will render your vehicle virtually useless. Failing to get regular tire rotations and alignments will cause your tires to wear out faster, meaning that you will have to replace them more often. Overall, these seemingly pricey preventative measures are actually cost-saving safeguards that keep your car in optimal shape.

Preventative maintenance may be a pain, as it requires that you take time out of your day to take your car into the shop, but the inconvenience is worth the gains, as your car will run longer and at an optimal level. To ensure that you are doing all you can to keep large issues at bay, take a look at this tips:

- Change your oil regularly. The old rule of thumb, which required the oil to be changed every 3,000 miles, may not apply to your car. With the different kinds of oils that are used, and the different configurations of more modern vehicles, your car may be able to go well over 5,000 miles before it needs another oil change. Be sure that you ask your mechanic to specify the needs of your vehicle so that you can stick to a routine that will keep your oil clean and your motor running smoothly.

- Pay attention to your tires. Though they literally allow your car to move, it is a safe bet that most people pay little to no attention to their tires. If one goes flat or loses its tread you could be in for some expensive repairs, depending upon how the imbalance has affected your car's alignment. Improperly inflated tires can also cause accidents and can run up your gas bill, so be sure to check them periodically to keep your car running as well as possible.

- Get regular tune-ups. Again, this service will vary based upon the needs of your vehicle, but it is important that you have tune-ups performed to address any small issues that may grow into larger ones. Cracked belts, leaking pipes, and other problems can be handled before they cause your car to break down only if your mechanic knows about them, so check with him or her to set up a tune-up schedule.

- Trust your mechanic. The bottom line, here, is that you have to be able to trust whoever it is that is telling you what needs to be done on your car. Going to a mechanic that you trust will enable you to be completely confident in your decision to purchase whatever services are needed. Many people have misconceptions about mechanics taking advantage of customers, especially those that are not knowledgeable about their vehicles, so it is important that you build a trusting relationship with your mechanic and his or her team. By following these tips, you should be able to keep your car in tip-top shape. Problems will arise, but by catching them early you can avoid the more stressful (and expensive) large scale disasters.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn




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