You’ve probably heard your friends or colleagues talk about how often one should get their vehicle serviced. Or perhaps you watched a video or read a report suggesting that poorly maintained vehicles are somewhere between severe injuries and a death wish when put under a microscope. However, when you think about the issue, the odds are decent that you rarely — unless it’s an emergency — take your vehicle in for maintenance. If your safety—and the fact that you handle a machine responsible for fatal crashes of up to 3722 in Texas and 2933 in Florida—won’t convince you to take your car in for maintenance, maybe sheer practicality will. Turns out, not servicing your vehicle reduces your vehicle’s performance and increases fuel consumption and much more…
So, rather than wait to experience fatal crashes first hand or drive a vehicle that takes ways fun from driving, why not consider regular expert vehicle maintenance services? But, how frequent is regular? To help you know the best time to contact an auto mechanic near you for maintenance, you need to know how to spot signs that your car needs servicing.
How To Know Your Vehicle Needs Maintenance
Sometimes, a glance under the hood will tell you that it’s time for maintenance. However, this is not always the case. On other occasions, you’ll need to look deeper and also listen to every sound your vehicle makes to know whether it’s time for service. The fact is, you don’t need to be an auto expert to know when your car requires maintenance. Often, a simple assessment will tell you that it’s time to visit an auto repair and maintenance shop. Common signs to look out for include:
– Smoke under the hood
– Excessive black smoke from the exhaust
– Leaks
– Weird noises while driving
– Engine shaking and shagging
– Engine warning light
– Reduced driving comfort
Preventative Car Maintenance
Car maintenance doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to wait for the signs of a problem to visit your nearest auto mechanic. You can also consider preventative maintenance to avoid not only pricey repairs down the road but also ensure peak performance. So, here’s how to tell when it’s time to take the car in for maintenance:
Use The Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule
Every vehicle needs regular maintenance to function correctly on the road. For this reason, some manufacturers will provide a maintenance chart to help car owners know which maintenance services their vehicles need and when. For instance, Nissan recommends engine oil and filter replacement as well as the inspection of brake pads and the exhaust system after six months. On the other hand, Toyota recommends a maintenance appointment after 5000 miles or six months for Toyota car owners. While all vehicles and drivers are different, a manufacturer’s maintenance schedule can be an excellent guide.
Hire Experts For The Job
Whether your car has a problem or you’re interested in preventative vehicle maintenance services, it is imperative that you work with experts. After all, they have tools, experience, and expertise to maintain your vehicle in excellent condition which is critical to keeping your SUV or truck from turning into a pile of junk.