 Auto Maintenance: Avoid Costly Repairs
Posted by carsandtrucks on Tuesday, March 25 @ 14:44:44 PDT
I have been associated with the automobile business my entire working life. From a high school part time job pumping gas at the local “service” station, to my current job as service director for one of Maine’s largest Ford dealer groups; if there is one thing I have learned in all those years of being around things mechanical it is, if you don’t maintain it, it will break, and you will have to pay to fix it. I don’t care if you are talking about your lawn mower, boat, snow blower, or your car or truck. Much like our own
bodies, our mechanical devises need to be cared for and maintained to work at peak performance standards. Every vehicle comes with a maintenance manual that outlines the manufacturers recommended maintenance. The engineers that set these schedules do not do so whimsically. They actually study and research what maintenance requirements best fit your vehicles needs. The manufacturers have a vested interest in your satisfaction with the products that they sell. These maintenances are designed to assure your vehicle spends less time in the repair shop and more time giving you a pleasurable driving experience. Another advantage of following the manufacturers recommendations is if you have a component fail outside of the warranty period and you reach out to the manufacturer to help you financially with the repair, the first thing they ask is “have you followed the recommend maintenance schedule?” If your maintenance has been lax, the manufacturer’s representative is less likely to honor your request for assistance. And of course all manufacturers’ warranties are void if neglect of maintenance is the cause of the failure. As an example, if you skip the oil change intervals and your engine starts making noises, and it is determined the failure was the result of lack of maintenance you can expect to foot that bill. If you choose not to return to the dealership for your maintenance, it is imperative that you keep a record of your maintenance history. A final thought on maintenance is a well maintained vehicle will have a higher trade in value then the neglected car or truck.
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