As a responsible vehicle owner, you know that regular maintenance keeps your truck, car or SUV operating efficiently. But staying on top of vehicle upkeep provides many other advantages that even experienced drivers may not think about, including:
Keeping your vehicle in good condition increases safety for you and other drivers on the road. Imagine you’re on a multi-lane highway and a belt comes loose. Could you safely get out of traffic without endangering yourself or others? Would you be stranded on the shoulder? How difficult would it be to find help or a tow?
Taking care of your vehicle and paying attention to systems that might cause problems can lessen the risk of a malfunction at a dangerous or inconvenient time.
Paying attention to maintenance and small fixes can prevent costly problems later on. For instance, keeping engine oil at the recommended level means your engine is less likely to overheat. Maintaining the correct coolant levels can prolong the life of the engine. Your vehicle will last longer, small issues won’t turn into bigger ones, and you’ll enjoy your driving experience more.
- Better mileage and lower fuel costs
Badly maintained vehicles guzzle gas. But one in optimum condition will give you more miles per gallon – anywhere from 4 percent to as much as 40 percent better mileage, based on industry figures. Which means you won’t need to fill up as often and you’ll save money at the pump.
Proper maintenance can keep your truck, car or SUV out of the shop. Even if you get a loaner, you could be without your vehicle for days – or longer – which is inconvenient and a poor use of your time.
- Lower environmental impact
Poorly maintained vehicles can emit harmful exhaust gases that lead to air pollution. Regular oil changes and other upkeep can make your vehicle run more smoothly, ease strain on the engine and reduce exhaust gases. So you can improve your vehicle’s safety and functionality and take some strain off the environment at the same time.
- Reducing depreciation and maintaining value
All vehicles depreciate as they get older. But regular service extends the life of your engine and keeps your vehicle on the road longer – which helps maintain the value of the vehicle. Higher residual value makes your vehicle more attractive both to potential buyers and dealerships evaluating your trade-in. In short, being attentive about maintenance can put more money in your pocket when you sell or trade the vehicle.
By the way, keep track of the maintenance records. They prove that you’ve taken care of the vehicle and deserve the higher sales or trade value.
So what kind of maintenance does your vehicle need? Your owner’s manual spells out what needs to be done and when.
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Many vehicle owners prefer to handle some basic tasks themselves, such as checking:
- Oil level
- Coolant level
- Brake fluid level
- Wiper blades (clean or replace if necessary)
- Headlights on bright and dim
- Turn signals, brake lights and parking lights
- Tire tread, pressure and condition
- Washer fluid level (top off or refill if necessary)
- Condition and charge of the battery, including checking the electrolytes and cleaning the cables
If you’d rather, the trained technicians at your Mullinax Ford dealership can take care of these issues for you, as well as scheduled maintenance such as oil changes, air and oil filter changes, tire rotation or new tire installation, and other tasks.
No matter who does the work under the hood or elsewhere on your vehicle, be sure to pay attention to the details that will keep your vehicle running safely and efficiently for as long as possible.
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