After your house, your vehicle is probably your biggest and most valuable investment. You rely on it to get you to where you need to go every day. As it is such an important part of your day to day, you will want to make sure that your vehicle is one investment you work hard to protect.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE:
Perform regular oil changes.
Maintaining clean oil at the proper levels is vital to your engines health and longevity. Regular oil changes prevent the buildup of carbon and sludge and keep the engine cool by minimizing friction and wear. Most vehicles require an oil change between every 3,000 and 5,000 miles. The requirements specific to your vehicle model can be found in your owner’s manual.
Maintain the cooling system.
Cast-iron engines from days past were able to overheat without suffering serious consequences. However, with today’s aluminum heads and blocks, that is not the case. You need to make sure that you are changing and flushing your coolant per the intervals laid out in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. This will help prevent corrosion in the heater, radiator and water pump, preventing overheating and prolonging the life of your vehicle.
Change all filters as recommended.
To protect parts of your vehicle that need to be clean of debris and small particulate matter, your vehicle is equipped with a few different filters that need regular changing. These filters include:
- Air filter
- Fuel filter
- Cabin air filter
- Oil filter
Dirty filters can affect your fuel economy as well as eventually damage other parts of your vehicle. Look in your vehicle owner’s manual for details on when these filters need to be replaced.
Replace the timing belt when necessary.
Some vehicles are equipped with timing chains which will usually last for the life of the vehicle. However, many vehicles use a timing belt instead. The timing belt is made of rubber and will eventually wear down to the point of needing to be replaced. Having a timing belt break when you are driving can be very dangerous and result in serious engine damage. The timing belt usually needs to be replaced between 60,000 and 90,000 miles, however, you should refer to your owner’s manual for specifics for your vehicle.
Check the brakes for wear.
Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your vehicle. It is imperative that they remain in top shape for your well-being and the well-being of others. Brakes do not last forever and do need replacing periodically. You should never allow your brakes to get to the metal-on-metal point. To learn more about brakes and when to replace them, please read our blog post: How to Know if Your Brakes Need Fixed.
Protect your vehicle’s finish.
A regular coat of wax goes beyond keeping your vehicle looking sharp. It will also prevent rust, protect your paint, and repel dirt and debris- all of which helps to maintain your resale value.
Perform maintenance as recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual.
Following your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule as found in your owner’s manual will ensure that your vehicle runs well for a long time, as well as maintain your warranty if you have one.
In short, regular preventative maintenance goes a long way in protecting one of your most valuable investments. Let the automotive repair experts at Meridian Automotive help you keep your vehicle running in optimal condition. Call us today (208) 297-5573 orschedule an appointment online.
