Routine auto maintenance is the life of your vehicle.
Without it, you risk causing an accident, or breaking down along the side of
the road. Auto maintenance helps to eliminate expensive repair bills for Burke,
VA car owners.
Why is auto maintenance necessary?
It will keep your car running longer. Not keeping up with
crucial fluid exchanges, dirty filters, squealing belts and old spark plugs
could lead to bigger problems and cost you more money down the road. Regular
auto maintenance is the key to vehicle longevity for car owners in Burke, VA.
How often do you need auto maintenance?
Each car, truck, van, or SUV is different. Check your
owner’s manual and it will list the mileage intervals for routine maintenance.
Some intervals are shorter requiring frequent maintenance, and some are much
longer only occurring once or twice for the lifetime of your vehicle.
What are some common types of auto maintenance?
Wiper blades—Change wiper blades whenever wipers smear rain
or snow and obstruct your view.
Tires—To get the most from your tires, rotate and balance
them regularly, usually around 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This way your tires will
wear evenly. Making sure your tires are balanced reduces the stress and strain
on shocks, struts, and your steering system. Check air pressure regularly and
tire tread.
Oil Change—A number of experts still say you need to change
your oil every 3,000 miles, but auto manufacturers recommend oil and filter
changes between 5,000 and 7,500 miles on newer model cars. You will want to
check your owner’s manual. Oil changes also depend on the type of oil you use.
Synthetic oils will cost more, but you can go longer between oil changes.
Changing the oil keeps your engine clean and can prevent major engine repairs.
Other Fluids—Be sure to check the brake fluid and power
steering fluid; flush and refill both periodically. The transmission fluid
needs to be checked and changed as well. Your owner’s manual will specify when
this needs to be done.
Belts—If it squeals, service it! Don’t wait until one breaks
and leaves you stranded. Check all your belts on a routine schedule and replace
when needed.
These are just a few of the items that need to be taken care
of on your vehicle. Always check your owner’s manual and follow their
recommended maintenance schedule.
As with anything, the better you take care of it, the longer
it will last. Taking your vehicle for regular auto maintenance at a Burke, VA
auto service center is your best assurance against unexpected breakdowns and
expensive repairs.
