When it comes to keeping a car running in good condition, it is important to get the car thoroughly inspected. Keeping up with general car maintenance is important to ensure car owners do not have bigger issues down the road, says Rusty Skinner, general manager at Allen Honda.
Oil Changes & Routine Service Some vehicles give customers an oil maintenance reminder light, so they know when to come in and get their oil changed, Skinner says. Owners get codes, such as A1, which takes the guesswork out of having to predict when to get it changed. According to the Allen Honda website, automobile manufacturers can provide an ideal, recommended service schedule, including oil changes, based on variable factors and works for each vehicle.
“These factors include heavy stop-and-go driving versus highway cruising, the frequency of trips made by the vehicle, and distances traveled per trip per day, operating in extreme heat or cold conditions, driving on mountainous or dusty roads, and towing a trailer or otherwise adding weight to your vehicle,” according to the website.
Routine service is usually suggested at regular intervals, such as 5,000 miles, 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles, 50,000 miles, 75,000 miles, and so on, to help ensure the vehicle continues to operate as intended, according to the website.
Tire Maintenance Tires are an essential and potentially costly part of car maintenance if not kept up with, Skinner says. At every oil change, he recommends doing a cross rotation with the tires. In doing so, with the addition of other tire services, the life of the tires are extended, which saves money in the long run.
“A tire service regimen often includes: checking tire pressure, inspecting tires for uneven or excessive wear, rotating tires, wheel and tire balancing, and wheel alignment,” according to the website.
The tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS, utilized by automakers monitors the air pressure within a car’s tires, according to the website. It also alerts the motorist when pressure falls below a predetermined limit. Underinflated tires not only lead to decreased fuel efficiency but also can result in reduced handling performance and safety.
“A car’s TPMS dashboard light will display when one or more tires are low on pressure, but systems vary based on their design,” according to the website. “Some use sensors within the air chamber of the tire, while others utilize information from other vehicle sensors to determine when tire pressure needs adjusting.”
Car Battery According to the website, if a driver has noticed symptoms like dim headlights, flickering interior lights, uncommon or prolonged radio interference, or hesitant ignition, they could be dealing with a battery problem.
“During inspections, the car battery needs to be checked to prevent unfortunate experiences such as a car dying after it has been driven out of the service center,” Skinner says. “A good way to keep your car battery from dying is to drive your car. Car batteries are so small now that people need to be consistently using [their] vehicle.”
Skinner advised it is not a bad idea to consult the owner’s manual for any problems with a car, and it is smart to call the vehicle’s dealership in case the owner needs to come in for service.
For additional information, visit www.allenhonda.com/routine-maintenance.
