Protect Your Vehicle By Performing These Critical Maintenance Services
As a car owner you know that having regular maintenance services done to it is vital to keeping it in top performance shape. By having the oil changed every 3000 miles the old oil is replaced with fresh and the oil filter that catches the deposits is replaced as well. Oil is necessary because it reduces friction in the engine as friction increases heat in the engine and wears on the moving parts. One good thing about having the engine oil changed is that other maintenance services can be performed at the same time.
Aside from gas and oil, there are several other fluids that are in a car. Checking these fluids when you have your oil changed is an easy thing to do.
- While the hood is up, the easiest thing to check first is the water/antifreeze in the radiator. Making sure the right ratio of water to antifreeze ensures the water doesn’t freeze in the winter and keeps it from boiling over in the summer. For maximum effectiveness, have the radiator flushed and refilled once a year.
- Checking the transmission fluid is as easy as pulling the dipstick and checking the level with the engine running. Once the oil is changed, it takes just a matter of seconds to verify there’s enough fluid to keep the transmission lubricated properly. Although it theoretically never needs changing, having it changed and the filter replaced every 100,000 miles is a good way to ensure the transmission stays in top form.
- Windshield washer fluid levels should be topped off.
- Since brake fluid is changed every time the brakes are replaced, checking to ensure the tank is full is all that’s needed.
- Checking the power steering fluid ensures the power steering moves easily. It never needs to be changes but if levels are low, you may need to have them check for a leak.
Aside from these fluids there are other maintenance services that should be checked into as well.
- The wheel grease needs to be checked to make sure the wheels are packed properly.
- Have the rear end grease checked while the underside of the car is available.
- The air conditioning system pressure should be checked to make sure the A/C works correctly.
- Either clean or replace the air filter as needed.
When having maintenance services performed, most of these fluids shouldn’t need to be changed or topped off but having them checked when you have your oil changed means that if there are problems discovered the issue can be handled before it turns into a major repair. Fortunately since the car will be in a bay where it’s easy to change the oil, the guys working on the car will have easy access to check the other fluids while doing the other maintenance services. It may take an extra ten minutes or so to have the other fluids checked but it will keep your car running in tip top shape.
To help maintain your vehicle and save a little money, do your research to find the best oil change prices so you can get the best value for your dollar. Brakes Plus has you covered for all your brake and car maintenance service needs to get you back on the road and back to your life.