A car is often the second largest investment people make. Do not treat it like a standard appliance and put off maintenance until something goes wrong. To keep a car running well you need to stay current on routine
auto maintenance in Bethesda, MD. Unfortunately many car owners don’t heed that advice. Instead they make these common mistakes and endanger themselves and others by driving around in a car that needs repairs. 1. Delaying Scheduled Maintenance Many drivers delay when it comes to car maintenance. In fact, approximately 40% of drivers put off scheduled maintenance. This is especially true of younger, more inexperienced drivers. Instead they wait for something to act up or break down before taking their vehicle in. What they often don’t realize is they wouldn’t have most of their issues if they followed the maintenance schedule in the first place. It gives technicians a chance to regularly check things out and keep you ahead of costly or dangerous car problems. 2. Not Checking the Oil Some of the most common issues involve oil. It is true, numerous advancements have changed the way cars burn oil. Because of efficiency and synthetic additives, you don’t have to change the oil as often as you did in the past. But don’t get lax because of it. Oil checks and changes still need to be done. Oil is your car’s lifeblood. If you check the oil level every week you will know right away if a problem arises and your car suddenly starts losing or burning irregularly. Your owner’s manual is the ultimate authority. It will tell you how many miles you can drive between oil changes for optimal performance. 3. Neglecting to Change the Air Filter Many drivers also forget about this routine auto service. To run properly, your car needs clean air. If the filter is old and filthy, it restricts airflow. Less air means diminished performance. You might not notice the damage right away. But ultimately your engine can overheat and seize, costing you a whole lot more than a simple air filter. 4. Using Worn Out Brakes Does your car consistently squeal when you engage the brakes? This is the vehicle telling you that you need replacement brake pads. Eventually the pads, a layer of material between the rotors and calipers, wear down. They might even get so low you will have metal rubbing on the rotors, damaging them. This leads to a whole other set of problems. So not only is it detrimental to drive with worn out breaks, but also dangerous. While there is no established mileage, most drivers should have their brakes checked and replaced every 20,000 to 25,000 miles. 5. Driving on Worn Shocks The shock absorbers do more than just give you a comfortable ride. These parts are critical in the performance and well-being of your suspension and handling. The shocks help your car corner and absorb bumps and potholes. Worn out shocks put unnecessary stress on the suspension, and they all wear out faster. Again, this largely depends on the road conditions you drive on. But often technicians recommend you get shocks checked and replaced at your 50,000 mile auto service. Consistent auto service and scheduled maintenance will keep your car in top condition. Need a repair shop you can count on to help you out? Give Auto Clinic Care a call at Auto Clinic Care or visit us at 5531 Nicholson Ln., Ste. A, Rockville, MD 20852.