VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
- If you own a vehicle that is three years old or older and the factory
warranty period has expired, maintaining and repairing this vehicle
is now your responsibility. If you plan on keeping this vehicle for
several more years to come, regular maintenance becomes very important
to you, your vehicle, and your pocketbook. The most important aspect
of maintaining your vehicle is something many of us don't ever do: read
the owners manual! It's an important reference guide to specific
information about your vehicle such as recommended maintenance schedules,
as well as specifying the location of fluid level indicators, filler
caps, and the recommended fluid types. If you can't find your original
owner’s manual, contact the dealer’s parts department for information
on ordering a replacement.
- A well maintained vehicle can reduce the cost of repair bills dramatically
over the lifetime of the vehicle. For example, if you were to neglect
the replacement of your timing belt (if your vehicle is equipped with
one) at the recommended mileage, you could incur catastrophic engine
damage costing anywhere from $1,000 to $$ several thousand. The
cost of a timing belt replacement is far less (about $300), depending
on your vehicle’s make and model.
- You can double, maybe even triple the life span of your vehicle by
performing regular maintenance. Did you know that if you let the engine
idle for just one minute before driving off, you would avoid a lot of
the engine wear that occurs over the lifetime of your car?
- The single most important service you can do to maintain your car
is to keep your fluids changed at the proper intervals. Although many
maintenance manuals recommend 7,500 miles between oil changes, don’t
do it! Arizona driving subjects your vehicle to severe driving conditions
and requires changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Never
wait until the oil light comes on to check the oil! If you don't
know how to check your oil, then every other time you fill up, find
a full service station or stop by Hargrave's and have us check all your
fluid levels, tire pressure and belts.
- Parents should show their young drivers how to check the oil in
their vehicles.
- Keep your tires rotated and balanced every 6,000 miles and maintain
the recommended tire pressure. An under-inflated tire will cause abnormal
tire wear and loss of fuel economy. Align the front end every 12,000
miles. This will extend the life of your tires and prevent their premature
replacement.
- If you have an automatic transmission or transaxle (front wheel drive),
have the fluid and filter changed every 15,000 miles. With the cost
of rebuilding or replacing today’s overdrive transmission / transaxles
ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, the price of a transmission / transaxle
service is very cheap.
- Finally, let’s not forget about the exterior of the car. Keep it clean
and wax it once every six months. Your car is a reflection of you, and
next to your house probably your largest investment, not to mention
that a vehicle that has had the recommended maintenance done and whose
exterior is well kept has a better resale value.
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Vehicle maintenance