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Maintenance Tips
Maintenance is something most of us ignore, until our vehicle stops working. We then wonder what went wrong and why. Maintenance is one of the most serious aspects of vehicle ownership. It determines the longevity, performance and reliability of whichever vehicle you drive. Most owners wash their vehicle more often than they perform basic maintenance on it.
Maintenance involves taking care of all the parts, especially those that are under the hood. These are the ones that directly concern the performance of your vehicle. Besides taking it to the dealership at regular periods, it is a good idea to go through the owner's manual so that you will have knowledge of your vehicles routine maintenance schedule.
Checking the battery, keeping a eye on the oil levels, changing fluids, checking the electrical system, these are all some of the absolutely unavoidable things that need to be inspected to keep your vehicle running in top condition. Owners who meticulously maintain their vehicles keep a log book of all of the services that they have had performed and this is extremely helpful for future repairs. If anyone needs to see what type of maintenance work was previously performed on the vehicle, this will give them an accurate idea of what may need to be done. This also helps the resale value, a well maintained vehicle with service records can add anywhere from 5%-15% to the vehicles resale value, which can equate to hundreds if not thousands of dollars. At Stevens Creek Buick Pontiac GMC, we keep meticulous, up to date maintenance records for you on each and every vehicle that we work on.
So be good to your vehicle and in return it will be good to you!
WORN BRAKE PARTS. Postponing needed brake service, in addition to being a safety hazard, can escalate the cost of a braking system overhaul. If your brakes squeak, grind, pulsate or if the pedal is too low get them checked right away!
TIRED AND OLD WIPER BLADES. Don't wait for a rainy day to replace your worn wiper blades.
BURNED OUT LIGHTS. Can your vehicle be seen and can you see other vehicles? Check all your lights regularly to be sure.
CLOGGED FILTERS. Scheduled replacement of air, oil, gas, fuel, transmission and other filters extend car life and improve performance.
WORN SPARK PLUGS. Worn plugs waste gas and increase exhaust emissions. They also cause the engine to run poorly.
CORRODED BATTERY CABLES. Corroded cables and a weak battery can cause starting problems. Have your battery and charging system checked if the engine turns over slowly or hesitates upon starting.
GLAZED BELTS, ROTTEN HOSES. A slipping belt can affect your engine cooling system, alternator, power steering, and air conditioner. Replace worn belts before they let you down. Brittle or rotten cooling system hoses can lead to overheating and cause severe engine damage. Others, such as vacuum and power steering hoses, hinder performance and safety.
NEGLECTED COOLING SYSTEM. Periodic servicing of your vehicles cooling system helps prevent deterioration of your radiator and heater core.
LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS. Worn shocks or struts affect ride control and shorten tire life as well as decrease your fuel efficiency.
DAMAGED CV JOINT BOOTS. These rubber boots protect the critical CV joints that deliver power to your wheels. They should be inspected regularly and replaced as needed.
LEAKING MUFFLER. Have your car put on a lift occasionally to check the muffler and other parts of the exhaust system.
TIRED TIRES. Worn tires are dangerous. Proper inflation, alignment, and balance will extend tire life as well as save you hundreds of dollars a year in fuel expense. Under or over inflated tires are the number one maintenance issues affecting vehicles today.
DON'T BE A LEAD FOOT LARRY. Quick starts and excessive speeds rob your vehicle of precious and expensive gas according to several studies, so ease off on the accelerator pedal, your wallet will be sure to thank you. | 