Five Maintenance Procedures Your Car Cannot Do Without

People tend to hop into their cars without thinking about all of the things that could be going wrong under the hood. However, you can’t understate the importance of keeping your car in tip-top shape. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois, as high quality auto repair professionals, want you to know about these five auto service items you should not skip.

Oil Changes

Oil is the lifeblood of a healthy car. Most people know that they have to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but don’t forget that you should also examine your oil level every 1,000 miles just to make sure that everything is as it should be.

Keep your oil changed. It's the easiest thing to overlook and ignore but the most crucial thing you can do. We at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center see a lot of worn engine parts because of the lack of oil changes.

Tire Maintenance

Properly maintained tires improve your vehicle's steering, stopping, and traction. Tire pressure should be set to the manufacturer’s specifications, which can usually be found in the owners' manual, on a sticker inside fuel filler door, or on the door well of the driver's side door.

It’s vital that you keep your tires inflated to the pressure that is suggested by the manufacturer of the automobile. Proper inflation keeps your tires wearing correctly. Over- or under-inflated wears tires out faster, can adversely affect fuel consumption, and present a safety hazard. Get your tires rotated and balanced every 6,000-8,000 miles and get the alignment checked at least once a year to make sure there aren't suspension problems.

Fluids

Checking the other fluids in your vehicle is also very important. Of course, we have already covered how you need to have the oil changed regularly. When you do that, also check all of the fluids including the transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant. Flush the transmission fluid around every 50,000 miles.

Brake Check

A brake inspection ought to be part of your vehicle’s ongoing regular maintenance to guarantee safety and reliability. Have your brakes checked out at least once per year or more often if you experience grinding, vibrations, or shaking when you brake. Regardless of the vehicle, brakes usually have to be replaced every 20,000-30,000 miles.

Scheduled Maintenance

Failing to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule could lead to loss of warranty coverage, breakdowns, poor fuel economy, and an increased cost of ownership in the long run. Having an authorized professional examine your vehicle according to these schedules is an opportunity to catch issues before they get you stuck or turn into bigger repairs.

Build a connection with an auto body shop. Jumping from shop to shop might save a few dollars on particular jobs, but in the end the only one who will have any responsibility for the state of your car will be you. Having a reliable auto body shop you trust means you having somebody looking under the hood for any possible problems on a regular basis. A good mechanic, who is familiar with your needs, your expectations, and your vehicle, will help you make the most of your car.

If you reside in Maryville, Collinsville, Troy, Glen Carbon, or Highland, Illinois and don't already have a regular auto body mechanic, think about taking the car to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center. They help countless drivers like you keep their vehicles in top performance shape.