Whether you have a new car or an old beater, owning a vehicle comes with a lot of responsibilities. You’re responsible for keeping it in working and safe condition. If you neglect maintenance, not only can it affect the reliability of your vehicle, but it can also make your vehicle unsafe to drive. To prevent this from happening, make sure you do these five auto-maintenance updates:
1. Monitor Tires Pressure
Proper tire inflation is important because it prevents accelerated wear that leads to premature tire replacement. It also keeps you safe by preventing tire blowouts. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to monitor your tire pressure. You can do this by using a compressor and tire pressure gauge at home weekly or as needed. If you don’t have a compressor and a tire pressure gauge at home, you can take your vehicle to a gas station with an air pump and monitor and fill your tires there.
2. Engine Oil and Oil Filter Change
Every 3-12 months or 3,000-10,000 miles, you should change your vehicle’s oil. Engine oil is important because it lubricates the engine and prevents it from premature wear. That’s why it’s so important that you have regular oil changes. You should also change the oil filter since it’s responsible for keeping contaminants out of the engine. This can prevent from costly repairs to your engine.
3. Rotate Tires
Tire rotation is when an auto mechanic removes all four tires from the vehicle and moves the rear tires to the front and the front tires to the back. This prevents premature wear and tear on a single set of tires. Sometimes an auto mechanic will do a criss-cross rotation. Always have an experienced auto mechanic rotate your tires for you since you want to make sure that the person moving your tires around knows what they’re doing.
4. Change Transmission Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid not only acts as a hydraulic fluid and lubricant, but it also keeps the transmission’s internal components clean and cool. Over time, transmission fluid becomes contaminated and breaks down, which leads to transmission failure. Replacing a transmission is not cheap, so spending $400-$500 (Estimated Cost) for transmission fluid flush every 30,000 to 60,000 miles is a cheaper alternative. There are a couple of ways to service transmission fluid, but an auto mechanic can inform you of the best method for your vehicle.
5. Replace Brake Pads
Brake pads are an important component of any vehicle. They contain a friction material that wears out over time and loses its ability to stop the vehicle. When brake pads get too low, it may damage the calipers and other brake components. If your brakes malfunction, it puts you and your passengers at risk. So every 50,000 miles, it’s recommended that you have your brake pads replaced.
Keep Your Vehicle Safe with Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions
Part of keeping your vehicle safe is having an auto mechanic you can trust to keep your car running smoothly. Let the auto mechanics at Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions maintain your vehicle so you can have the peace of mind of knowing that your car is always safe to drive. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
