3 Great Things to Know to Get the Most Out of Automotive Repair
The last place any of us want to be is standing outside of our broken down car on the expressway, screaming into our cell phone at some poor tow truck worker. Automotive repair is stressful, and making sure you stay on top of your vehicle’s problems to keep it in the best shape possible will save you thousands in major repairs down the road.
-
Regular Tune-ups: In 2015, the “magic number” for tuning up your car is every 30,000 miles. Tune-ups include everything from replacing spark plugs, plug wires, air filters and fuel filters. It’s also a great opportunity to check other components under the hood such as belts, hoses and fluids. Spark plugs are sometimes an exception and need to be checked even more often. By getting these tune-ups regularly, your gas mileage will usually increase by about 4% each time.
Brakes and Tires: One of the best things you can do to save money in the long run with automotive repair is constantly making sure your brakes and tires are up-to-date. The average car on the road today is an eye-popping 11.4 years old, so it is more than likely that your car has brakes and tires that are not up to speed (pardon the pun) with the advancements that have been made in the last decade. Rotating your tires plays a huge part in getting the most out of your wheels. Tires need to be properly inflated and should be rotated every 6,000 miles. Brakes can usually go about 20,000 before they need replacing, but check with your owner’s manual or an auto repair service to find our exactly what your vehicle needs.
Odds and Ends: Keeping your car running smoothly is the main benefit of proper automotive repair, but for those interested in aesthetics, a quality coat of wax every six months is the best way to keep that brand-new look. Many auto repair shops offer professional waxing that will have your car looking better than ever. You may also be interested in new wiper blades, which should be replaced after about six months, or any other number of small additions or fixes to your car, all of which can be done by an auto repair shop.
Even if you’re a hyper-vigilant car owner who does everything possible to keep tabs on all of your vehicle’s problems, things do happen and it is important to seek quality automotive service to make sure you’re driving safely and efficiently. Seek out an auto repair you trust and find out what you can do to optimize your driving experience.