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“The squeaky wheel gets the grease” may be a trusted adage, but it’s not one you want to apply to your vehicle. Instead of waiting until something is glaringly wrong, it’s much smarter to perform regular preventive maintenance to keep your car in tip-top shape.
While it may be tempting to put off that oil change for another week or two, here are seven reasons preventative car care maintenance is worth the effort.
No one wants their car to break down, especially in the middle of heavy traffic or severe weather. Thankfully, you can avoid many annoying (and potentially dangerous) situations simply by giving your mechanic a chance to identify and repair vehicle issues before they become an emergency.
Cars are complex machines with many interconnected, moving parts. The trouble is, even issues that seem insignificant can quickly snowball into more complicated, costly repairs. Often, you’ll save money by addressing those problems sooner rather than later.
Nothing lasts forever, but your car will last a lot longer if it’s properly cared for and maintained.
You’ll enjoy a smoother ride and better fuel economy if you keep your car in good working order.
Believe it or not, some car warranties will be voided if you don’t keep up with regular maintenance.
When it comes time to resell your vehicle, you may be able to get more money for it if you have consistent maintenance records over the lifetime of the car.
Car maintenance isn’t just about vehicle performance. The most important reason to maintain your car well is so you and your passengers can stay safer on the road.
No one wants their car to break down, especially in the middle of heavy traffic or severe weather. Thankfully, you can avoid many annoying (and potentially dangerous) situations simply by giving your mechanic a chance to identify and repair vehicle issues before they become an emergency.
Cars are complex machines with many interconnected, moving parts. The trouble is, even issues that seem insignificant can quickly snowball into more complicated, costly repairs. Often, you’ll save money by addressing those problems sooner rather than later.
Nothing lasts forever, but your car will last a lot longer if it’s properly cared for and maintained.
You’ll enjoy a smoother ride and better fuel economy if you keep your car in good working order.
Believe it or not, some car warranties will be voided if you don’t keep up with regular maintenance.
When it comes time to resell your vehicle, you may be able to get more money for it if you have consistent maintenance records over the lifetime of the car.
Car maintenance isn’t just about vehicle performance. The most important reason to maintain your car well is so you and your passengers can stay safer on the road.
Proper tire maintenance ensures that your tires wear evenly. Not only does this give you a smoother, more comfortable ride, it helps prevent weak spots from developing in your tire walls (which make them more susceptible to blowouts). Even wear also helps your tires grip the road more effectively so you can handle sharp turns, hard stops and the slick surfaces caused by wet or icy weather.
Motor oil lubricates the engine’s moving parts and protects them against wear.
Your car also requires:
Headlights and taillights help drivers see the road and other vehicles around them. They also enable drivers to communicate with each other using turn signals.
Messy windshields make it difficult to navigate safely.
Wipers should clear away water, dirt and debris from your windshield with a clean, streak-free finish. If your wipers are worn out or damaged, they should be replaced.
Fuel can’t ignite without oxygen, which is why a combustion engine needs air to run. Your engine air filter ensures that air is clean and free of particulates that could potentially build up and cause damage to your vehicle.
When cabin air filters get clogged, they can diminish the air quality in your vehicle and even leave a dusty film on the inside of your windshield, making it difficult to see as you drive.
Sometimes car batteries can fail without warning—an unwelcome surprise for any driver. To avoid getting stranded and needing a jump, it’s wise to regularly test battery health and check for corrosion.
Being able to slow down or stop quickly is essential for safe driving, and you never want to get into a dangerous “no brakes” situation. Plus, wear and tear on the braking system often leads to bigger, more expensive car trouble if you don’t address it promptly.
Belts and hoses are involved in a wide variety of engine processes. Because they’re constantly exposed to heat, chemicals and vibration, they often have a much shorter lifespan than other car parts. Two of the most important belts in your vehicle are the timing belt (which keeps your engine running smoothly) and the serpentine belt (which provides power to various engine components).
Even if your check engine light isn’t on, your car may not be running at 100%. If you suspect a problem, it’s often better to be safe than sorry and get an auto shop to run diagnostics on your vehicle. It may save you a major headache down the (literal) road.
The average car diagnostics test can cost $100 or more. However, some auto repair shops offer these tests free of charge, so call a few shops and check reviews before you commit. And of course, with a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, you can get free 24-point maintenance inspection with any paid service upon request.
All vehicles will need repair services at some point in their lifespan. But you don’t have to be a gearhead to understand what your mechanic is talking about when you take your car in to the auto shop. Here are a few of the most common auto repair services your mechanic may recommend:
Motor oil lubricates and protects engine parts while also preventing deposit buildup and capturing contaminants in the engine. Since the oil becomes dirty and deteriorates over time, it needs to be replaced periodically.
During an oil change, a technician drains the used oil, replaces the oil filter that catches debris and then adds fresh oil to the engine.
The emissions control system is designed to reduce engine byproducts, some of which are harmful pollutants. Keeping these systems up and running helps protect our air quality and environment.
Your emissions system may need repair if an essential component breaks down or if your car has outdated technology that needs to be updated to meet current emissions standards.
The primary purpose of the exhaust system and muffler is to safely and quietly conduct exhaust gases away from the engine and out through the tailpipe. A broken muffler may seem like a minor inconvenience, but don’t take it lightly. If there’s a problem with your emissions or exhaust system, toxic fumes like carbon monoxide could leak into the cabin of your vehicle.
Your tires are where the rubber literally meets the road, and taking care of them is essential for safe, smooth driving. Common tire services include:
It’s safe to say you never want to be in a car with malfunctioning brakes. Maintaining and repairing your brakes can include services such as:
Excessive heat can damage your engine—in fact, it’s the most common cause of a mechanical breakdown.
That’s why your car’s cooling system is so important. Not only does engine coolant prevent overheating, but it also helps your car reach and maintain the ideal operating temperature for peak efficiency.
Common issues with the cooling system include:
Whether you’re headed in for routine maintenance or a major repair, it’s important to have a mechanic you can trust with your car. But should you head to the dealership’s auto shop or seek out an independent car repair shop? We’ll walk you through some of the pros and cons of dealerships versus independent mechanics to help you make the right decision.
Dealership Auto Repair Shops
The key benefit of going to a dealership auto repair shop is having access to a factory-trained technician who is intimately familiar with the car brands they service.
With today’s advanced automotive technology, that specialized knowledge can be particularly important and may also lead to a quicker diagnosis when you have car trouble. However, that specialized training often results in higher labor costs.
Dealerships will always use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts to replace broken or worn-out parts on your vehicle. This means a high level of quality control. But again, that typically comes at a higher cost.
You may also want to go to a dealership repair shop if your car is still under warranty, as going to a third party could void that warranty.
With independent auto repair shops, one of the major benefits is lower labor costs. Independent mechanics may still have industry certifications, but they may not have specialized training unless they’ve previously worked in a dealership repair shop.
How do you know if your mechanic has proper training? Ask if they’re ASE certified. This credential, offered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, verifies a technician’s repair and maintenance skills.
When it comes to car parts, the good news is that independent mechanics can still use genuine OEM parts, if that’s your preference. However, they can also use less-expensive aftermarket parts, which can lower the overall cost of your repair.
For those who don’t live near a dealership, odds are you can find a reliable independent mechanic much closer to home—and it may be easier to get an appointment compared with a dealership.
Look through the Better Business Bureau Directory to find an auto repair shop you can trust. This can help you avoid businesses that try to sell you products or services you don’t need—or that overcharge their customers.
It’s worth noting that it’s easier to develop a relationship with a local mechanic since you can often speak directly with the person who worked on your vehicle, rather than communicating through the dealership’s service advisors and other staff.
To find a mechanic you can trust with your car and your money, there’s no better resource than AAA. Working with a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility or a AAA Car Care location ensures that you’ll get a quality repair at a fair price with the superior customer service you expect. Plus, you’ll have access to special AAA Member benefits like extra discounts on labor costs and our 24-month/24,000-mile guarantee on parts and labor at your Approved Auto Repair facility, or our 36-month/36,000-mile guarantee at your Car Care location.
Whether it’s regular maintenance or a major repair, don’t leave your car’s performance to chance. Let AAA help you get on the road faster with trusted auto repair.
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