For most of us, a car is an investment. It is our way to work, and it is our way to run errands. In some parts of the country, life without a car can be pretty difficult. If you have a vehicle it will be your most expensive purchase. Auto repair, maintenance, registration, and, in some states, annual inspections come to mind. We all want to be safe and we all want our cars to last a long time. So, what does maintaining your car actually look like? It's not nearly as complicated as you might fear.
The most basic maintenance is an oil change. If you are a do it yourself project this is a pretty basic job. If you do not want to grease on your hands it is thankfully pretty inexpensive, but it is important nonetheless. This should be done every 3,000 miles. If you take it to someone they will check spark plugs, air filters, and fluid levels. It might be a good idea to more frequent oil changes or check the oil level more often if you notice leaks, drive in a lot of stop and go traffic, or tow a trailer.
The suspension of your car needs attention. You will want to have your vehicle's struts, or shocks checked. When you take your car in to have your tires rotated the mechanic will check these things and make sure your car is properly aligned. Also, if you state requires a yearly inspection you will be required to have this checked out. This helps your car handle better. Sometimes a problem can be as simple as low tire pressure. Once you get a little air you may find your vehicle is good as new. When problems with the suspension occur they can be dangerous. Auto repair often just means regular maintenance.
Keeping up with transmission fluids can help your car shift smoother. Replacing a transmission is far more expensive than maintaining your vehicle's fluids. Brake fluids are important to maintain as well as brake pads. You can reduce a lot of costly repairs by keeping an eye on these fluids.
Auto repair is about safety and protecting your investment. It is important to find a mechanic who will help you keep up on your car's repairs. Someone who can do quality work when your car lets you down as well as helping with maintenance so it does not let you down often.
