We all want to get the most value for our automotive dollars. With average new car prices approaching $30 thousand, gas prices soaring towards $4 per gallon, and the environmental impact of an improperly functioning vehicle, keeping your car in top shape has never been more important.
We can help you prepare for the tightening economy by extending the service life of your vehicles. Because investing in maintenance puts off the time when you will have to buy a new car and could actually save hundreds–even thousands–of dollars each year, it’s not difficult to justify the cost of a coherent maintenance program to maintain the vehicles you already have.
Our maintenance and inspection programs are designed to keep your vehicles safe, minimize breakdowns, and keep them operating at their best! Here are five basic tips:
1. Get a Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection
Whether it’s your existing car or one you are interested in buying, a comprehensive inspection will determine the vehicle’s actual condition and its potential for long-term value. It makes no sense to spend money on a vehicle until you know exactly what is needed. Knowing your ownership goals, the car’s condition, and the list of services needed, we can work together to correctly manage the care of your vehicle.
2. Determine How Long You Intend To Own Your Vehicle
A clear plan for your car keeps you from over- or under-maintaining the vehicle. I often tell people there are two plans: change vehicles often and do the minimum necessary while you own them, or start with a good vehicle, provide exceptional care, and run the wheels off of it!
It’s OK to be on the “use it up” program if you know when to quit, but no vehicle runs forever. Do not form an emotional bond with your vehicle! When your car reaches the end of its economic viability it’s important to be able to say goodbye. Trying to maintain a “challenged” vehicle seldom works out for either us or our clients. I value our client relationships, and I hate to see them deteriorate along with a vehicle that should be replaced.
3. Fix Problems As They Happen
Don’t let problems build up. If left unattended, problems that are easy and inexpensive to fix can develop into difficult and expensive ones that can doom your car. Good vehicles can allow a huge backlog of problems to develop before they finally cry out for help, and by then playing catch-up may not be the best plan even for a good car.
Keeping the list of maintenance recommendations short prevents larger problems, makes it easier to budget for repairs, and maintains the vehicle’s safety and reliability between fixes.
4. Have Regular Interval Services With Oil Changes
Every 3,000 to 5,000-miles you should have your car serviced including a 90-point inspection, change of oil, and a new oil filter. Make sure you get the inspection and not just the oil change. New oil is good, but an inspection can identify important problems that have nothing to do with oil. This is cheap insurance compared to the cost and inconvenience of a new motor or new vehicle.
5. Keep Your Fuel Injectors Clean
Dirty fuel injectors can decrease gas mileage or even damage your engine, and improving your mileage by just 5% will deliver a great return over time. Start by being careful what fuel goes into your tank. Contrary to belief, all gas is not the same! Stay with name-brand fuel stations and avoid unbranded “Ma and Pa” stations. Have your fuel injectors and intake system cleaned properly at least every 30,000 miles. The expenses of poor mileage or a set of new injectors quickly outweigh the few-cents-a-gallon savings at the pump.
