Cars take a lot of abuse if you think about it. They get you through your daily commute in all types of conditions and the occasional road trip. They sit in traffic, rain, wind and baking hot sun. One way you can thank your vehicle for all it does is to ensure that you take the time to provide it with regular maintenance.
How Much Maintenance Does Your Vehicle Need?
It does depend somewhat on the type of vehicle, where you live and what kind of driving you do, but generally, you’ll need to get your oil changed every few thousand miles, and you’ll also want to take it in for yearly maintenance to ensure that everything is up to par.
Your first step is to read your vehicle’s owner manual. This is something everyone should do. This ensures that you are using the right oil, gas, etc. and also will tell you exactly how often you should get your oil changed, for example.
In general, you should be checking fluids, battery, tires and air filters on a regular basis. Many of these things will be checked when you take your car in for an oil change, but at least once a year you should have a more thorough inspection of the transmission, engine, etc. You’ll want to replace worn belts and seals, filters and spark plugs. You’ll want to make sure your tires still have good tread on them and get them balanced.
Doing these things promptly will save you money in the long run. If you are mechanically inclined, you can do many of these things yourself, but if you aren’t, don’t feel bad about spending the money. It’s an investment and will help ensure that your car runs well and will help you avoid expensive problems down the line.
While you’re at it, be sure you do a yearly vehicle insurance inspection to make sure you have the best coverage possible. Contact your Wellspring Insurance Network Inc. in Rockville, MD or one of the surrounding areas and talk about your coverage, any discounts and any changes you need to make to your policy.