Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Despite popular belief, studies show that car owners keep their vehicles for an average of nine years before replacing them. Auto service specialists suggest that regular maintenance can extend a car’s life by several years more.

Auto technicians polled recently by consumer service specialists at Angie’s List suggest five maintenance areas that vehicle owners should schedule at regular intervals:

Oil changes – Oil is critical to a car’s long life. Your vehicle’s oil should be changed depending on your driving habits, typically every 3,000-7,000 miles or around 3-6 months. You should check your oil about every 1,000 miles.

Tire maintenance – Properly maintained tires improve the steering, stopping and traction of your vehicle. Tires that are over or under inflated wear tires out faster, affect fuel consumption, and are a safety hazard. Rotate and balance your tires every 6,000-8,000 miles and get an alignment check every year to make sure there are no suspension problems.

Fluids – Transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant tend to break down over time and lose their effectiveness. All fluids should be checked and topped off every oil change. Have your transmission fluid flushed out every 50,000 miles, depending on your driving habits.

Brake Check – Brake inspections should be part of your vehicle’s ongoing maintenance to ensure safety and reliability. You should have your brakes inspected at least once a year; more – more often if you experience grinding or shaking when you brake. Regardless of care, brakes will likely need to be replaced every 20,000-30,000 miles.

Scheduled maintenance – Failure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule could lead to breakdowns, poor fuel economy, and a higher cost of ownership in the long run. Having a certified professional inspect your car according to these schedules is an opportunity to catch problems before they happen.  

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