Car maintenance is an important part of keeping your vehicle running safely and reliably. But with so many different services available, it can be hard to know which ones are the most important. To help you out, we've compiled a list of the four most common car maintenance services that you should consider for your vehicle. The first service on the list is an oil change and oil filter replacement.
Oil acts as a lubricant for your car's engine, preventing metal parts that move quickly inside from causing excessive friction and reaching extreme temperatures. Over time, your car may lose some of the oil in your system and the remaining oil becomes dirty and contaminated. An oil change service should be performed regularly. If you don't keep up with oil changes, your car will likely need more expensive repairs in the future.
The exact frequency with which your oil needs to be changed depends on the type of car you have. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend servicing every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. An oil change drains old, dirty oil from the system and replaces it with a sufficient amount of clean oil. When changing the oil, the oil filter must also be replaced. The second service on the list is replacing oxygen sensors.
Oxygen sensors measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust system and help regulate fuel efficiency and emissions. They generally need to be replaced every 50,000 miles. The third service is replacing the engine air filter. The engine air filter is what regulates the air that flows into the engine and helps keep debris and particles out.
By ensuring that the air filter flows properly, you can improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and help ensure engine life. This can be easily done at home, so refer to your owner's manual for instructions and how often you should change it. The fourth service is checking for a loose or missing fuel cap. Sometimes a loose or missing fuel cap can activate an “check engine” light. In addition, the lack of a fuel cap can cost you up to 0.5% of your fuel economy. Don't let your car be part of the 77% found to need repairs and maintenance in a recent survey.
If you want to keep your car running safely and reliably while maintaining its long-term value, make sure to stick to a car maintenance program and keep a good record of what you've done. Proper car maintenance can go a long way in keeping your car in good shape and avoiding costly repairs in the future.
