Your car is probably very important to you, yet you might not take care of it the way it needs to be. Taking care of a car through routine maintenance is vital if you want your car to perform its best and last a long time. There are numerous types of maintenance services cars need, but here are three vital maintenance services you should not ignore.
Oil Changes
You are probably well aware of the importance of routine oil changes, but do you stick with the right schedule for this important service? If not, the engine in your car might wear out faster.
Oil gets dirty over time; and as this happens, it prevents the engine from having the proper lubrication it needs. Dirty oil cannot lubricate all the parts of the engine, and this leads to friction with the parts. Friction is never a good thing for an engine, as it causes the parts to wear out prematurely.
Secondly, lubrication is vital for keeping your engine cool. With dirty oil, car engines have a harder time staying cool. The result of this is overheating of the engine, and this too leads to motor damage.
The timing for changing oil depends on several factors, but the main factor is the type of oil used the last time you changed your oil. Standard motor oil is typically good for 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while synthetic oil can last significantly longer than this. Some cars today have oil life gauges that alert car owners when the car is ready for an oil change.
Brake Services
The brake system your car has is the component that stops you when you need to stop, and this makes the brakes an important part of your car. Fortunately, brakes last a very long time; however, they wear out over time and require routine maintenance. With the proper maintenance, you could prolong the life of your brakes, which means you could save a lot of money by investing in the routine maintenance your brakes need.
One type of maintenance to consider is a brake inspection, which you should do every 12,000 miles. This service helps you know the condition of your brakes by measuring the wear on the pads.
A brake flush is another type of maintenance and is recommended every 20,000 to 45,000 miles, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. A brake flush replaces dirty brake fluid with clean brake fluid, and this keeps your brake system functioning properly. Moisture is an enemy of your brake system, yet it can creep inside the brake fluid reservoir and cause all kinds of problems.
Tire Rotation and Maintenance
Maintaining the tires on your vehicle is also important if you want to avoid replacing them sooner than you hoped for. Tire rotation is something to consider doing every six months or 6,000 to 10,000 miles. The purpose is to spread out the wear evenly on all four tires. Failure to do this can cause uneven wear on the tires, which can lead to one or two tires wearing out prematurely.
During tire rotation, a mechanic will inspect the tires for signs of wear and will let you know when the time comes to replace them. If you rotate your tires on schedule, they will last longer.
If your car is vibrating a lot or seems to pull to one side or the other, you could consider hiring an auto shop to balance your tires and align them. Both of these services will result in smoother driving.
Making the decision to have White’s Automotive Center perform routine maintenance services on your vehicle when needed will keep your car running better and longer. Call 706-323-1060 or stop in to schedule an appointment or get immediate services.
