When Should You Schedule Vehicle Maintenance Services?

Posted May 07th 2014

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If you’re a responsible owner, you know that the only way your car, truck or van is going to last for any length of time is with the right vehicle maintenance services. You know that your vehicle needs oil changes, tire rotations and the like. You also know that you need other services. However, if you’re like the majority of drivers out there, you’re not entirely clear on exactly what else is needed or when it might be required. This quick guide will give you some of the basics in when and how to maintain your vehicle. As a note, it’s always recommended that you have a professional service your vehicle. Doing it yourself might sound like a good way to save a few bucks, but it can actually lead to serious problems.

Brakes

Vehicle maintenance includes replacing your brake pads and resurfacing your rotors on a regular basis. However, the frequency of that service will depend on an immense number of factors, like how fast you drive, how hard you hit the brakes when coming to a stop and many more. The best option here is to have your brakes regularly inspected during vehicle maintenance services so that you know when it’s time to replace those pads and turn the rotors.

Transmission

Your transmission is what’s responsible for delivering power from the engine to your wheels. Without an operational transmission, your vehicle won’t move. Over time, the fluid in your transmission breaks down. It also builds up dirt, metal particles and other contaminants. Every so often, you need to drain out the old fluid, change the transmission filter, and add new fluid. The frequency of this service varies by make and model. A good rule of thumb for vehicle maintenance scheduling is every 30,000 miles, but you should verify that with your service professional.

Alignments

Your vehicle’s alignment refers to whether or not the steering and suspension system is set properly to allow the tires to track straight down the road. If your car is out of alignment, you’ll notice either inner or outer edge wear on your tires in most instances, although that’s not true for all cases. You should have vehicle maintenance scheduled to check and correct your alignment roughly once per year, but again, work with a professional to ensure that schedule is right for your situation.

With the right vehicle maintenance schedule, you can ensure that your car is reliable and safe for years to come.