Do you want to keep your vehicle running well and avoid costly disasters?
Of course you do!
Everyone wants their car to last as long as possible and be as safe as possible while driving on the road. After all, good vehicle maintenance should:
- Keep your car running smoothly and reliably
- Minimize the chances of unexpected breakdowns
Sadly, most people are unaware that poor maintenance of their vehicle could cause serious accidents. Federal data reveals that approximately 2% of car crashes are caused by mechanical failure and most of these crashes are entirely preventable through regular care.
Issues such as brake failure, tire blowouts, and engine problems at the wrong time could be catastrophic.
With insufficient maintenance, you aren’t just risking costly and time-consuming repairs—you’re risking lives.
In this post, we’ll show you the most successful maintenance and repair strategies that actually work. These are the exact same methods that smart car owners use to keep their vehicles in great shape and avoid dangerous malfunctions.
What you’ll learn:
- Why Vehicle Maintenance Helps Prevent Accidents
- The Most Important Maintenance Tasks to Perform
- Smart Techniques to Help Lower Repair Costs
- Spotting Issues Before They Become Big Problems
Why Vehicle Maintenance Helps Prevent Accidents
Vehicle maintenance is not only important for your money, but also for the safety of others.
The most perilous car issues are the ones that happen over time. Ignoring warning indicators like squeaking brakes or worn-out tires cause these minor issues to turn into major accidents at highway speed.
Let’s look at some data. A study shows that brake failure causes 22% of all mechanical problems that occur in accidents. This percentage is not little when you consider the numerous accidents that happen every year.
Most of these incidents could have been prevented by ensuring that brake inspections were carried out on time and pads were replaced in time. This is why after accident victims require the service of an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer, since they are knowledgeable enough to help the victims through the complex insurance processes that arise after an accident due to mechanical failure.
If you lose your brakes while on a busy road or intersection, you have no escape. The consequences of such an incident could be life-altering for everyone involved.
The Most Important Maintenance Tasks to Perform
Not all vehicle maintenance tasks are equally important. Some have a greater impact on your safety and your wallet than others.
The most significant three maintenance priorities are highlighted below.
Maintaining the Brake System
Your brakes are, literally, the difference between a safe stop and a collision.
Brake maintenance is not limited to replacing pads only when they squeak. Monitoring the brake fluid levels, checking for any leaks in the brake lines, and also making sure that your anti-lock braking system is in good working condition are also important.
You will know that your brakes need attention if you see the following:
- Grinding noises
- Spongy Brake pedal
- The car jerks to one side when braking.
Do not wait until these problems are aggravated, get them fixed immediately.
Tire Maintenance
Worn out tires are one of the most significant causes of accidents, especially in wet weather.
Your tires require the appropriate air pressure and enough tread to rotate. Tire pressure must be checked monthly, and the tread depth must be inspected regularly.
You can inspect the tread depth of the tire by using the penny test. If you insert a penny upside down into the tire, and you can still see Lincoln’s head, it is time to get a new tire.
Remember that tire issues can cause hydroplaning, blowouts, and loss of control.
Engine and Transmission Maintenance
Engine problems may not seem as urgent as brake issues, but they can be equally dangerous.
In the event that your engine fails when driving, you will lose power steering, power brakes, and the ability to accelerate out of a dangerous situation. Routine oil changes, as well as coolant system and transmission service will prevent these catastrophic breakdowns.
Smart Techniques to Help Lower Repair Costs
Vehicle maintenance and repairs costs have become astronomical in the past few years, with the average car owner now spending over $900 a year on these.
But here’s the good news.
You can cut down on these costs dramatically by using the right approach.
Adhere to a Preventive Maintenance Schedule
Following your vehicle manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule is the most important money-saving strategy.
You can avoid having small problems later turned into major repairs that would cost thousands of dollars if you follow this plan. For instance, replacing a $30 thermostat is cheaper than rebuilding an engine that would have overheated because of a faulty cooling system.
Learn Basic DIY Tasks
You don’t need to be a mechanic, but you can learn simple maintenance tasks to help you save hundreds of dollars per year.
Tasks such as the change of air filters, replacement of wiper blades, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires are relatively easy for anyone to do.
Find a Reliable Mechanic
An honest mechanic will be truthful about what should get immediate attention versus what could wait. He or she will also help you to prioritize repairs depending on your safety concerns and your budget.
Spotting Issues Before They Become Big Problems
The only way to do effective vehicle maintenance is by knowing the various signs, and thus being able to spot problems early, before they become costly or hazardous.
Your vehicle always gives you signs, you only need to know how to identify them.
Listen to Unusual Noises
Different sounds will mean different issues with the vehicle. Squealing brakes could mean that the pad has to be replaced. Grinding sounds are an indication of metal on metal contact which needs immediate attention. Engine knocking could mean serious internal damage.
Look for Visible Indicators
You should check for fluid leaks under your parked vehicle. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluids all have different colors and consistencies. Check for leaks of these.
You should also look out for warning lights on your dashboard. Modern cars have highly sophisticated monitoring systems that would alert you to some problems before it causes a breakdown.
Check on Fluid Levels
You should check on engine oil every month, brake fluid every quarter, and coolant levels every season.
Low fluid levels could indicate a leak or consumption problem and would need professional attention.
Making Maintenance Work for Your Schedule
A lot of people are the reason to skip maintenance is the fact that it’s always not at the right time.
But with proper planning and scheduling, you will always have enough time to do the necessary vehicle maintenance without necessarily inconveniencing you.
Schedule your routine services during slow periods on your schedule. Most of these services can be performed during the morning or evening hours, especially for working-class men and women.
Also, you can combine some services when possible. You can save time and also money when you get oil changes, tire rotation, and fluid checks done in the same visit.
Wrapping Things Up
Vehicle maintenance can be time-consuming and tiresome, but it is the most significant step you can take for your safety and the safety of your money.
The strategies mentioned in this post will ensure that you do effective maintenance and also that you control the costs. You should also remember that little investment in maintenance will help to avoid major costs and dangerous situations in the future.
Your vehicle is most probably the second-largest asset that you have after your house. It is important that you take proper care of it. This not only helps to protect that investment, but it also helps to keep you and your family safe every time you take the car on the road.
Begin with the basics – regular oil changes, brake inspections, tire maintenance, etc. You can then start to build from there as you become more knowledgeable with vehicle care.
With constant attention, and the right strategy, your car will be serving you for many years to come. This is because you can always prevent potential problems by just regular inspections and keeping an eye out for warning signs.
