Which are the most overlooked car maintenance services?
As a car owner, maintenance is an important responsibility. If you neglect your car, your gas mileage will suffer, and you run the risk of a breakdown. Not to mention that those issues can be expensive, particularly when the problems involve a major part like your transmission or engine.
However, far too many people only focus on rotating their tires and changing their oil. While it’s true that these are important car maintenance services, there are actually a bunch of things that you should also be keeping track of.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the most common maintenance procedures that are often overlooked by car owners. Let’s get started!
1. Tire rotation and alignment
Does your car pull to one side when you’re driving or vibrate more than usual? Do your tires wear unevenly? This might be a sign that it’s time for a tire rotation and alignment. If your steering is out of alignment, it is both costly and dangerous to the vehicle owner.
Wheel alignment is one of those car maintenance services that should be done at least once per year. Neglecting it can result in reduced fuel efficiency, poor handling, and uneven tire wear. To improve overall vehicle performance and keep your tires in tip-top shape, be sure to rotate and align them regularly. You should also check them if you accidentally hit a serious bump or a large pothole a little too hard.
2. Brake system inspection
Brakes are one of the most important features of your car, so you don’t want to skip those regular brake inspections. Without your power brake system, you wouldn’t be able to stop your vehicle nearly as fast as you might need to, so we’re talking here about one of the most important car maintenance services.
Rotors, worn brake pads, or fluid can compromise your stopping power, resulting in increased stopping distances and potentially dangerous driving conditions. For example, the fluid that makes your brakes work can fill up with water from condensation, which will make your brakes less effective.
Brake system inspection is one of the car maintenance services many people tend to neglect, leading to many different issues that can be both dangerous and expensive to tackle.
Ensure your vehicle remains safe to run and get your regular brake inspections.
3. Cooling system service
Another critical component of your car’s operation, the cooling system, keeps the engine from overheating and prevents corrosion. Antifreeze can become corrosive over time, so flushing your entire cooling system is one of the most important car maintenance services you should do regularly.
The fresh coolant helps maintain the pH level in your car system, which in turn prevents the coolant from corroding the metal in your hoses, radiators, and more. Different vehicles have different coolant change requirements, so check your owner’s manual to find out how often you should do it.
A cooling system that hasn’t been maintained cannot protect engine parts from corrosion, and chances are it will cause the engine to run too hot. Make sure you have enough coolant or antifreeze in the spring and fall.
4. Oil changes
Oil keeps your engine parts moving with minimal friction, but after some time, it gets contaminated and must be replaced to ensure your engine runs smoothly. We all know that oil changes are one of the most important car maintenance services that need to be done regularly, but sometimes it’s tempting to put them off just a bit longer.
Don’t do that! Skipping oil changes can lead to reduced performance, sludge buildup, increased engine wear, and even an expensive engine failure. Keep your engine purring by changing your oil at the recommended intervals specified by the manufacturer.
To find out how often you should do that, check your owner’s manual. Generally, it’s every 5,000 miles or six months (whichever comes first), but it can vary depending on the car and oil additives. If you want to change the oil yourself, here are some options to choose from.
Keep reading to discover other car maintenance services most people neglect!
5. Air filter replacement
All vehicles have an air filter that stops dirt and dust from getting into the engine. It traps contaminants from the outside air before they enter the combustion chamber, preventing any unwanted damage.
Air filter changes may not seem like essential car maintenance services, but they are important for maintaining your car’s performance. A clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption, reduce engine performance, and negatively impact emissions.
To maintain optimal engine efficiency, make sure you replace the air filter at the recommended intervals.
6. Timing belt
No. 6 on the list of car maintenance services most people overlook is timing belt replacement. A timing belt is responsible for ensuring that your vehicle’s valves are closed and opened at the perfect moments for engine performance. It’s so critical to the proper operation of your vehicle’s engine that if it breaks, your engine could sustain irreparable damage.
Moreover, timing belts can be hard to see because of their spot behind the timing cover, so you may not always know right on the spot when they break.
Your owner’s manual will tell you when the timing belt should be replaced. Most manufacturers recommend doing so every 100,000 miles. According to experts, the best thing you can do is not wait until your timing belt breaks to replace it.
7. Battery maintenance
While car maintenance services don’t usually include doing something to the battery, it’s important to have a mechanic check it if something’s wrong with it. The average life span of quality car batteries is three to five years. However, it depends largely on your driving habits, the climate, and how well you maintain the battery.
Car batteries can fail for many reasons, including a faulty charging system, cold or hot weather, not switching off the car lights or radio overnight, frequent short trips that don’t allow the battery to charge fully, a car that is stationary for long periods, and corroded battery terminals.
A dead battery can leave you stranded with little or no warning. If your vehicle feels sluggish when you try to accelerate, it may be an early indicator that your battery may be saying goodbye to you.
8. Transmission fluid and filter service
How often do you check the level and condition of transmission fluid in your vehicle? In fact, when did you last have the filter and fluid changed?
The reason why the transmission fluid needs to be changed is the heat. Heat is the biggest enemy of your transmission, partly because it’s the biggest killer of your transmission fluid. The fluid isn’t only a lubricant, but it also helps to prevent corrosion and activate the clutches inside the transmission that perform the shifts.
When heat breaks down the transmission fluid, it loses some of its capabilities. It’s also possible that the fluid level can decrease, which can cause shifting issues.
This is why taking care of it is one of the most important car maintenance services you should do regularly. Yes, most people tend to neglect it, but make sure you’re not one of them.
9. Tires
Your tires have a huge impact on your vehicle’s handling, particularly when you’re driving on rough terrain or in inclement weather. Checking your tires is one of the most important car maintenance services to keep your automobile safe.
Proper tire inflation and tire tread depth are two key components of handling and performance. Also, having your tires rotated is vital. Consider having it done every time your oil is changed.
If you liked our article on the most overlooked car maintenance services, you may also want to read 10 Things Your Mechanic Wishes You’d Stop Doing.
