We all like to think that we’re organized and get things taken care of in a timely fashion. But life gets busy and deadlines come and go, and sometimes you have too many balls in the air to take care of even the basics. One thing you really shouldn’t let go of is regular car maintenance. It’s not sexy and it’s not a riot of fun and it probably won’t set your heart atwitter, but it’s as important as just about anything else on your “to do” list. Maybe the best part about it is that it will save you money down the road if it uncovers potential problems. And everyone likes to save money. And no one likes to be calling for roadside service on a dark and stormy night.
All cars come with an owner’s manual, so dig yours out and take a look. It will tell you how often to have your car serviced. (If you can’t find the manual, you can look for one online or call the dealer.) It is generally recommended that all vehicles should be serviced at least once a year and/or every 12,000 miles. Some authorities recommend that it be serviced twice a year. If you don’t put that much mileage on your car it still needs to be looked at yearly. Think of it as a trip to the dentist. You might not eat that much, but you still have to have your teeth looked at.
The non-profit Car Care Council recently posted that:
- 25% of cars had low or dirty engine oil.
- 13% had low or contaminated brake fluid.
- 18% had dirty air filters.
- 17% had inadequate cooling protection or low coolant levels.
- 16% needed new windshield wiper and 27% had low or contaminated washer fluid.
- 18% needed new belts.
- Overall, 89% of vehicles were in need of at least one service or repair.
Owning and operating a car requires a lot more than keeping gas in the tank. To give you a taste, here are some of the many things that are looked at during a yearly maintenance check-up.
- Automatic Transmission Fluid
- Battery and Cables
- Belts
- Brakes
- Cabin Air Filter
- Chassis Lubrication
- Dashboard Indicator Light On
- Coolant (Antifreeze)
- Engine Air Filter
- Engine Oil
- Exhaust
- Hoses
- Lights
- Power Steering Fluid
- Steering and Suspension
- Tire Inflation and Condition
- Wheel Alignment
- Windshield Washer Fluid
- Wiper Blades
You’ll be able to do some of these yourself, of course, before your bring your car in. And you should always keep an eye on the dashboard lights and tire inflation and your wiper blades.
April is National Car Care Month. What are you waiting for?
We have been serving the Hollywood District and greater Portland-area for almost 30 years. We offer professional automotive service specializing in Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Audi, but we’re happy to take a look at whatever you’re driving.
We have the best mechanics in the business. Our goal is to fix the problem the first time, and we want to do it right. We’ll do our best to explain everything to you and keep the price down.
We’ll always be here when you need us. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 if you want to schedule an appointment. Go ahead. Schedule an
appointment today! It’s nice to check things off that “to do” list.
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