Buying your dream car and maintaining it are two completely different things. While buying a car can give you the pleasure of life, maintaining it can take out some of the joy, especially if you don't know what you're doing or what to expect. Unfortunately, failure to maintain or service your car can seriously damage it leading to huge losses. As such, you should be more vigilant when it comes to car service in order to avoid such circumstances. That's why we've put together this guide so you can avoid preventable car issues. Keep reading to learn more about car service.
Key Takeaways:
- Regular car servicing can help prevent significant issues from happening in the first place.
- A tiny, seemingly insignificant leak in the radiator can slowly grow into an irreparable crack, forcing you to buy a new one, which'd have been avoided by servicing your car.
- A car service can ensure you maintain a healthy engine, enhance your safety on the road, lower your running cost, and retain your car value.
Why Is Car Service Important?
When your vehicle is overdue for a service, but you're too busy or short on cash, you may be tempted to let the car run for a few more hundred miles before bringing it in the dealership shop. However, getting your car serviced as scheduled should be in your best interest. Here's why:
Maintain a Healthy Engine
Regular car services entail oil changes and filter replacements, which can help ensure that your engine is working at its best. If you skip car service, your car's engine will wear down, leading to decreased fuel efficiency and more trips to the repair shop. Besides, if the engine isn't properly maintained. It can result in decreased performance. Keep in mind that repairing your engine is very costly, so investing in regular car service is worth it. Regular servicing will keep everything running smoothly and prevent major issues from developing.
Ensures Safety
Servicing ensures that your car is safe to drive. For instance, during the oil change, the mechanic will perform a routine check to ensure there are no underlying issues that could arise when you're driving. That can include the brakes, filters and air pressure in the tires. If they discover an issue, you'll be glad you took your car in for servicing rather than continuing to drive a potentially dangerous vehicle.
Lower Your Running Costs
Diagnosing and rectifying an issue on time can save you time, money, and, most importantly, stress. In addition, getting your car serviced means you won't be running on low fuel, on tires with little or no treading, and with no coolant, things that can increase the amount of money you put into your car over time.
Maintain Your Car Value
There's a noticeable difference between a well-maintained vehicle and one that appears neglected. If you plan on reselling your car or using its trade-in value to buy a new car, how well you've taken care of it will be factored in in its value. If you've cared for your car, it'll have a higher market value, and you'll get a better trade-in value.
Air and Cabin Filters Should Be Serviced- Replaced!
Air and cabin filters are two filters that you shouldn't ignore since they protect the engine and affect the quality of air in your car. The engine air filter keeps debris, dirt, and other contaminants from getting. That also entails dust and other particles from the cabin into the engine. A clogged filter can make the engine work harder to push air through, affecting performance and fuel efficiency, and hence require replacement. To inspect the engine filter, raise it toward a source of light. The general rule is that if you can't see any light pass through, it's time to replace the engine air filter.
On the other hand, the cabin filter prevents pollutants that might flow through the car's HVAC system. It prevents dust, pollen, smog, and mold spores from contaminating the air inside. Although the cabin filter is often easy to access, the air filter can vary, depending on the make and model of your car. Car makers might recommend maintenance timeframes based on mileage in the manual. But if there is no such guidance, you can use your eyes and smell sense to know when to replace the cabin filter. For example, an odd or musty odor in the cabin, particularly when the AC or heat is on, could mean the filter is in bad shape.
Understand Your Service Reminder- The Dashboard Warning Lights
Since many drivers don't read the owner's manual, automakers have devised car service reminders in the form of warning lights or indicator lights that appear on the dashboard or gauge cluster. Typically, the light will come on before the car service is actually required to give you time to schedule an appointment.
Moreover, there are two types of systems:
- Set Mileage System: With this system, the warning lights will come on every time you have driven a set number of miles and a car component, for instance, oil, needs changing. This can vary depending on the car maker, but it's often approximately after every 5,000 miles.
- Sensor System: This is an onboard computer that analyzes how the car is being driven, and the light comes on when that component requires changing.
Schedule Your Car Service With Us!
When it comes to your car service, you need someone who knows what they're doing- someone you can trust. York Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram is a service-oriented dealership offering the very best automotive care and maintenance. We pride ourselves on having an experienced team of certified auto technicians ready to offer expert knowledge and workmanship. As such, you'll return to the road sooner and with the peace of mind that your car is well-serviced and taken care of. We've got everything covered. Call us to schedule a service today!
