Automotive Maintenance – For most people, a car is the second most expensive purchase they will make in their lifetime. Here in California, cars are also an important part of life. You need a car to drive around Pasadena to get to your job or the grocery store, run errands, and get around. If you want to get the most out of your investment, you should stick to a regular maintenance schedule and take some easy steps to extend your vehicle’s life.
Every vehicle should have a recommended maintenance schedule in its owner’s manual. To keep your car in good condition for as long as possible, it is important to follow this service schedule and get all of your maintenance done on time. It is also important to get even minor repairs done when needed – if you notice that your car is pulling to the side, making a strange noise, or seems to have lost power or gas mileage, it is important to bring it into your Certified Auto Repair Specialist of Pasadena today so that our mechanics can check it out for you, because one of these minor issues can become a big problem if it is not fixed.
If you are unable to locate your owner’s manual, you should be able to find it online. Failing that, here is a basic maintenance schedule that will work for most vehicles:
Perhaps the single most important maintenance item is changing your motor oil. Low or dirty oil will cause added friction between your engine’s components, leading to accelerated wear. For most cars, an oil change is recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Other fluids such as transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid are also extremely important and need to be refilled or changed regularly. Every time you bring your vehicle in to CARS, we will check these for you and refill them if necessary.
Your vehicle’s air intake filter should also be replaced about every 12,000 miles, otherwise dust will accumulate in it, restricting airflow, diminishing performance, and lowering gas mileage.
It is also important to keep your tires inflated to the proper recommended tire pressure in order to optimize your vehicle’s gas mileage and handling.
By following these simple rules and keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance schedule, you will greatly increase the life of your vehicle. If you have any questions about your maintenance schedule or want to check your car’s current health, don’t hesitate to call your Certified Auto Repair Specialist at (626) 793-2220 today. CARS is Pasadena’s best automotive repair shop!
