Maintenance is the key to vehicle longevity

Change your oil (oil to vital fluids) and filters regularly and your car or truck will last longer, run better and require fewer repairs as the miles add up.

One of the most important aspects of preventive maintenance is changing lubricants, fluids and filters when they need it – not when you get around to it

Ten Good Reasons To Invest In An Annual Car “Physical”

1. Cut repair costs. Discovering a worn component before it creates major problems can save big money.
2. Safety. A poorly maintained vehicle can drive you into a serious accident.
3. Better performance. This translates to improved fuel economy as well as “driveability”.
4. Saving the environment. Undermaintained vehicles are a serious contributor to air pollution.
5. Improved trade-in/resale value. A well maintained vehicle can be worth 2-3 times as much as one that’s been neglected.
6. Better handling. Incorrect wheel alignment, worn suspension components and/or tires cause poor ride and handling.
7. Ability to plan ahead. When a checkup indicates future need for replacement of a part, you can budget accordingly.
8. Dependability. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to stall, fail to start or otherwise leave you stranded.
9. Driving enjoyment. It’s more comfortable and more fun to drive a car that holds the road and rides well.
10. Pride of ownership. It’s said that your car is an extension of your personality. Keep it looking like you care.

-from pamphlet courtesy of Car Care Council

Know when it is time for a tune-up

On most vehicles today, malfunctions may be camouflaged by computers whose function is to keep the engine running as efficiently as possible as long as possible. When they no longer can compensate for mechanical discrepancies, they may just fail. The vehicle is disabled. Periodic diagnostic checks and maintenance can prevent this sometimes disastrous situation.

Symptoms of engine trouble on most vehicles today are subtle. It’s not easy to tell if your car needs a tune-up because the symptoms are masked by computerized controls. Preventative diagnosis, done periodically, can keep your vehicle running trouble-free for years. Short of that, if you do detect a change in your vehicle’s performance, make a note of it and report it to your technician for further diagnosis and corrective measures. Things to look for are: hard starting, knocking, stalling, power loss, poor gas mileage, exhaust odor, rough running

Good tire maintenance

Have you taken a good look at your tires lately? Since they’re the only thing between your car and the pavement, maybe it’s time for a close inspection. This means getting the car off the ground and on a lift.

Automobile tires are designed to last thousands of miles, through just about every conceivable road condition, but it’s not the road that’s responsible for premature tire wear. It’s neglect. Following are four causes of early tire wear or failure: incorrect inflation, incorrect alignment, wheels out of balance and poor driving habits.

Rotate your tires every 6000-8000 miles
Balance tires once a year or at 15000 miles