Preventative Car Maintenance - Do I Need It?
Preventative maintenance is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your car’s long-term health. Operating a vehicle responsibly is crucial when it comes to avoiding catastrophic damage. But preventative maintenance is just as important when it comes to keeping your car on the road for a long time. But what is preventative maintenance? And how do you know when it’s needed? We are here to answer all of your questions about preventative car maintenance.
What is Preventative Maintenance?
Preventative maintenance is auto maintenance that prevents future damage or malfunction to your vehicle. When most people think of car maintenance, they think of repairs and maintenance to damaged parts. But some of the most common procedures are forms of preventative maintenance.
Anybody who wants to get the most out of their car should stay on top of their preventative maintenance procedures. So, you may be wondering, what kinds of preventative maintenance are most important? And when are they needed? We can answer these questions for you as well with this handy preventative maintenance checklist.
Preventative Maintenance Checklist
Oil Change & Filter Replacement
Probably the most common form of auto maintenance is an oil change. An oil change provides clean oil to your engine for better lubrication and all-around performance. How often you need to change your oil will depend on your vehicle and driving habits. A safe estimate is to get an oil change every 3000 to 5000 miles, or once every six months.
Tire Rotation & Pressure Check
When you drive, your car’s front tires typically receive more wear and tear than your back tires. There’s no way to avoid this, but you can moderate it by regularly rotating your tires. “Tire rotation” refers to swapping the positions of your car’s tires. This is the easiest way to maximize the life and performance of all four tires on your car. When you rotate your tires, you should check the tread and pressure on each of them as well. Tire rotations are recommended approximately every six months, slightly less frequently than oil changes.
Wheel Alignment
Along with tire rotations, wheel realignment is important to keep your car is running smoothly. Wheel balancing and alignment ensure that weight is distributed evenly in your car and that your wheels are not crooked or perpendicular. Both of these procedures help your vehicle handle more smoothly and drive more efficiently. Wheel balancing and alignment should be performed along with tire rotations.
Windshield Wiper Replacement
You may not think of your windshield wipers often. But if you don’t have good wipers when you need them, you could be in big trouble. You replace your windshield wipers roughly every 12 months. Luckily, new wipers are affordable and relatively easy to install.
Battery Check
Without a working battery, your car won’t be good for anything. Car batteries do need to be replaced, although not very often. You will likely need a car battery replacement every five years or so, depending on the quality and maintenance of the battery itself. Conditions like infrequent use and extreme temperatures can shorten the lifespan of your battery.
Tire Replacement
Just like your battery, your car’s tires need to be replaced occasionally. The lifespan of your tires is measured in driving distance, not years. This, again, will vary based on tire quality and driving habits. But on average, a tire’s lifespan will be about 50,000 miles. If you drive an average of 10,000 miles annually, this would mean your tires can last you up to five years in good conditions. But you should always monitor the thread and alignment of your tires throughout the year.
Preventative Maintenance In South Carolina
If you require auto service or preventative maintenance, visit D & D Motors' service center, located in Greer, SC. Our expert technicians can provide any service you need with expert care.