Car maintenance will save you money, and it will save your life and the lives of your family. Your car service manual lists the things you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. It will tell you how to perform the essential maintenance correctly. Your owner’s guide tells you when you should service the car.

Reviewing these two guides will help you know what to do, when, and how. These manuals will also help you understand what to do if something doesn’t sound right. And when you should stop the car and not drive it.

Keep your Car Safe to Drive

Car safety is vital to protecting the life of yourself, your family, and others you meet on the road.

Traffic accidents caused by poor vehicle maintenance happen every day. Due to these accidents, hundreds of people die. And, thousands lay in hospitals recovering from injuries. Also, tens of thousands are overcoming the emotional trauma of preventable accidents.

Reduces the Cost of Repairs

Lack of maintenance of your vehicle could lead to expensive repair costs in the future. Keeping your oil levels where they should be could prevent damage to your car’s engine. Engine repairs are costly, often thousands of dollars. The same can be true of your transmission fluid or gear fluid. The costs of a new transmission can run into thousands of dollars.

Resale Value is Higher for Well-Maintained Vehicles

Car buyers are discriminating about the choice of vehicle they will buy. If your car looks neglected, it will not draw a very high resale price. A well-maintained vehicle shows its value, and buyers can see that. A detailed list of maintenance and repairs adds value to your vehicle’s sales price. Buyers like to know that what they are buying has been maintained.

Reduces the Number of Roadside Emergencies

Don’t let your family sit at the side of the road waiting for help. A little maintenance could have prevented that. Unfortunately, roadside repairs are expensive, and the cost can be three or four times normal. In addition, towing charges can be high. Depending on where and how far your car needs to be towed, it can run into hundreds of dollars.

Reduces the Cost of Fuel

Well-maintained vehicles use less fuel. Several things on your car, if not maintained, will cause you to use more fuel. Replacing spark plugs, points, and filters will all help your vehicle use less fuel. Well-maintained, balanced, and rotated tires will do the same.

Burning poor-quality fuel can cost you more in maintenance, service, and repairs. The fuel you run in your car should be what is required by the manufacturer.

Keeps Insurance Rates from Going Up

Car accidents caused by poor maintenance will cause your car insurance rates to go up. Excessive use of roadside help will do the same. Keeping your car maintained will help keep your insurance rates low.

Having comprehensive car insurance is crucial. In addition, it is necessary to help with the hospital, property damages, and repair costs after an accident.

Tyres, how they help Save You Money

Poor tyres can cause accidents, which cost you money. You don’t want to be parked on the side of the road when you should be at an important business meeting. Making sure your rubber is in good nick is vital for safety. Tyres help with the safe handling and braking of your vehicle. In addition, they help provide a comfortable ride and reduce the running costs of your car.

Tyres suffer from wear which can affect the way the car performs on the road. For example, if your tyres do not connect well to the road when braking or cornering, they may need to be replaced.

Tyres have tread wear indicators (TWIs). These are small rubber blocks within the tread around the outside of the tyre. As the tyre wears, these blocks get closer to the top of the tread. Once they become flush with the tyre’s surface, it is time to have the tyre replaced.

Follow Your Car Maintenance Checklist

If your car service manual does not have a maintenance checklist, set one up. Adhering to it will help your vehicle run efficiently. Be sure to include maintenance checks of the oil, transmission, or gear fluid levels. Check the water level in the radiator and the level of fluid in the windscreen washer tank. Do this, especially if you are going to make a long trip.

Walk around your vehicle. Look for any spots where liquid has dripped. Fluid drips on the ground will show if there are any leaks. Many air conditioning systems usually have a water overflow. Learn what that looks like compared to other fluid leaks.

Your well-maintained car over its life should serve you well.