Taking care of your car not only is a pain but it costs money. Oil changes, tune-ups, tire rotations and other maintenance tasks can cost a car owner hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of the car. However, not doing such tasks can be even more expensive. It is estimated that the economy loses $2 billion in each from vehicle neglect. Making sure you take the time to service your vehicle when it’s needed is smart. Here are some of the main maintenance tasks that you need to keep up on.
Tires are like the feet for your car, and just as you have to take care of your feet, you have to take care of your tires. New car tires quickly become used car tires after a few thousand miles and need some maintenance. You typically need to have your tires rotated every 7,500-`10,000 miles to prevent excessive wear and also to make your car run better. Your new car tires also won’t last forever. Depending on the quality of the tires, they might be good for anywhere from 40,000 to 70,000 miles. Once you get to that point, it’s important to have your tires evaluated to see whether they need to be replaced. A tire professional can tell you whether you need new tires.
Another top auto maintenance task is is fluid changes. You typically need to get your oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles, while other fluids such as brake and transmission fluid need to be changed much less often. Changing your fluids on the right schedule will keep the inner workings of your car on track and prevent the need for expensive auto repairs.
Taking care of components in your car also is important for the longevity of your vehicle. For example, you need to have things like your brake pads replaced at certain intervals, and there are belts and hoses that need to be replaced before they fail. About one out of every five vehicles that’s inspected has a belt or a hose that is in unsatisfactory condition.
Whether you have a new car with new car tires or a used car with no idea how old its components are, you need to take care of it. Performing regular maintenance and inspecting things like your tires and belts and hoses can help keep your car repair free for longer.