The cardinal rule of good car ownership is keeping your car in tip-top condition. No, this isn’t just some witty ads to sell an automotive product or service. Regular vehicle maintenance is an important responsibility that extends the benefits, and life, of your car.
Maintenance prolongs the vehicle’s life
Regular wear and tear alone can shorten any car’s lifespan. Just imagine what more a faulty cooling system or a damaged engine can do. With regular vehicle maintenance, however, you can prevent any of these from happening. It can even extend your vehicle’s life and help you get the most out of your investment.
It reduces repair and fuel costs
A well-maintained car is a low-cost car. Regular vehicle maintenance helps lower the running expenses of owning a car: the fuel and repair costs. Scheduled check-ups allow you to spot trouble early on and repair minor issues before they blow up into something that would cost thousands to repair. Without peeking under the hood regularly, simple problems like oil leaks and worn out timing belt can turn into complete engine failure, which is more expensive to fix.
Sending your car for regular servicing will also ensure that it’s in optimum condition and cover the most mileage per gallon of fuel. This will save you lots of gas money and give more room on your budget for other expenditures.
Regular maintenance improves safety
Faulty headlights, under-inflated tyres, and leaky brake fluid tank; these minor problems can cause serious accidents when left unchecked. Even an uncharged battery can result in engine break down while you’re travelling. Imagine being stuck on a desolate road where anything can happen.
The good thing is you can prevent these accidents and breakdowns with regular vehicle maintenance. A well-maintained car is a safe car that you can drive with peace of mind, whether you are off for a long trip or just travelling a short distance.
It will take you places
If you love long drives across the country (and we don’t blame you because Australia has some of the best scenic routes in the world!), then it’s crucial that your vehicle is in top form before each journey. Regular checkups can ensure that your car can cover the distance smoothly, no matter how far you choose to go.
It slows down depreciation
Regular maintenance helps retain your car’s value. As your vehicle ages and covers more mileage, it depreciates in value. That’s totally normal. But if you’re planning to sell your car, you’d want it to secure a higher selling price. Regular vehicle maintenance can help you with this.
A well-maintained car retains most of its value. Also, used car buyers pay high attention to a car’s health when shopping around. They ask specifically for maintenance records to make sure that the vehicle is well cared for and in good working condition. If your car meets these requirements, you can command a good resale price for it.
Which car parts need regular maintenance?
If you’re thinking of cutting corners and just having some parts looked at every now and then, that won’t do. What you need is complete regular maintenance for all the car components, including the following:
- Tyres – Tyre alignment and the tyre manufacturer’s recommended air pressure must be checked regularly to ensure that there will be no problem with the handling and steering of the vehicle.
- Fluids – These include engine oil, brake fluid, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, air conditioning coolant, and washer fluid. Ensure that they are always at an adequate level, or risk more wearing and tearing of your car components. In particular, oil change must be done once the vehicle hits 3,000 miles.
- Air filters – Air filters must be cleared of accumulated dust to increase fuel efficiency and ensure the engine is working properly.
- Ignition and Fuel Systems – Once every year, you must carry out a tune-up to replace spark plugs, check the fuel filter and fuel injectors, and adjust of the ignition timing.
- Brakes – Brakes must be checked if they are working properly after every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. Any unusual noise when braking is also an indication that it’s time for servicing.
- Battery – Regular maintenance means ensuring the battery is properly anchored, the cover is in place, and the terminals are free of corrosion.
You can perform many of these maintenance checks on your own by consulting the owner’s manual that comes with the car. There are also plenty of instructional videos online that will help you with the tasks. But if you’re not good at repairs, then it’s best to leave it to professional mechanics and car servicing shops.
Whether you want to do it yourself or get the help of experts, the most important thing is to never forget carrying out regular maintenance on your car.
And if you are in need of a new vehicle, contact Aussie Car Loans. We can help you get can get conditionally approved for a fixed rate used car loan in just a few minutes. Use our simple online application now!