What Car Maintenance Services Matter Most for Your Vehicle?

Posted March 26th 2014

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If you’re a responsible car owner, then you understand the importance of keeping your car maintained and serviced. However, it’s possible that you’re not exactly sure what car maintenance services matter the most for your specific vehicle. Given the range of newer models now riding the streets, it can certainly be confusing. However, they’re really not all that different, whether you’re talking about a hybrid, a front-wheel drive car, an all-wheel drive SUV or a rear-wheel drive truck.

Car Maintenance – Oil Changes

No matter what type of car you’re driving (with the exception of those ultra-rare all-electric vehicles), your engine needs oil to operate. You should have an oil change roughly every 3,000 miles, but there are factors that affect this. For instance, if you use fully synthetic oil, you can go for a longer period between oil changes. Speak with your car maintenance professional to find out what’s recommended in your specific instance.

Car Maintenance – Differential and Transfer Case Service

Ok, front-wheel drive owners, you can skip ahead. Those with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive, read on. Both your transfer case and your differential need fluid changes regularly. These should occur roughly every 15,000 miles, but heavy use or driving in severe conditions will shorten that time. Talk with your auto repair professional to determine when you should have your transfer case and differential drained and filled.

Car Maintenance – Alignment

Aligning your front end helps ensure that the camber, caster and toe are all within OEM specs, and that your vehicle is tracking correctly down the road. Don’t be tempted to gauge whether your car’s aligned by letting go of the steering wheel and seeing if it veers right or left while driving. That’s inaccurate and dangerous. Have your car aligned regularly to enhance tire life and ensure that you have the control and handling you should.

Car Maintenance – Transmission Service

Your car’s transmission is like most other major components – it relies on fluid to operate and to protect delicate internal components. That fluid wears out over time, and most automakers recommend that you have your transmission serviced roughly every 30,000 miles. Again, this varies based on automaker, and the actual make and model you’re driving, so speak with an car maintenance professional to find out when you should have your transmission serviced professionally.

These are some of the services that you’ll need to worry about with your vehicle – make sure you’re working with a trusted professional to handle your car maintenance.