A car is a significant investment, and it's in your best interest that you take good care of it. This involves subjecting it to maintenance inspections regularly. The challenge is that nearly every veteran car owner has their recommendation of how often you should take your car for maintenance. This confusion can make you fail to take your vehicle for maintenance as often as you should. On the other hand, it can influence you to take it more than you should and make your ownership costs very expensive – too much of anything is not good.
Here is a reliable guide into how often you need car maintenance and its benefits.
Confirm the Maintenance Schedule on the Owner's Manual
Cars, even from the same manufacturer, are different. Sometimes, even the same car models can be very different depending on their trim and engine build. As a result, each car has its own manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule clarified on the owner's manual. You can also check the car's service booklet for this information. If you have an older car, you can visit the manufacturer's customer support page to check for the info. You can also contact their support directly via email or their social media pages.Check the In-Vehicle Maintenance Reminder Systems
Over the last few decades, in-vehicle maintenance reminder systems have become standard in cars. This system collects data from all areas of the vehicles and assesses them for any indication of a problem. Once it detects a problem, it will remind you that you should do some maintenance on your car.The maintenance reminder is on the dashboard for easy visibility. Suppose you have seen a "Check Engine" sign in your car light up, that the reminder telling you that your car needs maintenance. The in-vehicle maintenance reminder system is usually very reliable in detecting problems. Thus, it's best not to ignore it.
Mileage-Based Servicing
You can also rely on a mileage-based servicing schedule to keep your car in top-notch condition. There are two approaches to this option, normal service and severe service. You can take your vehicle for normal servicing if you use it primarily for short trips. On the other hand, severe servicing is necessary if you subject your vehicle to harsh conditions like towing, carrying heavy loads, and operating in extreme temperatures. In either case, you will have to consult with your manufacture or a reliable maintenance shop for a recommendation on the proper mileage-based servicing for you.The Benefits
If you choose to stick to the recommended car maintenance schedule, you can expect the following benefits:Promotes Road Safety
Driver negligence and poorly maintained cars are the leading causes of road accidents in Australia. If you subject your vehicle to regular maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer, you can promote road safety. A well-serviced car is safe for you and your passengers and also other road users.Contrary to popular belief that you should only take your car for service when you notice a problem, regular maintenance means that problems can be identified early. This means that you can avoid death traps like failed breaks while you are on the road.
Promotes Vehicle Longevity
Regularly servicing your car means that it will be in its best condition all the time. As a result, it can last longer as problems detected early will not have had a chance to mess it up. As a result, you will be using your car for a long-time to come.While going for car maintenance, you should go a step further to promote your vehicle's longevity by opting for paint protection. Paint protection is meant to keep your car's painting looking sterling for longer by preventing damage by scratches. Check out our Gold Coast paint protection service center if you live around the region.
