Why should we maintain our vehicle the second larges purchase we make for most of us ?
If we buy new or used we want, well most of us want our vehicles to be safe, clean and well maintained. Do you buy an extended warranty or not ? Warranty companies are for profit company’s and betting you don’t have an issue. Also they will be looking for you the vehicle owner not to maintain your vehicle so voids there warranty.
In a perfect world we do everything buy the book of maintenance and repairs to keep our vehicle ready to drive and safe. That's easier said then done as that is clear as mud on how to maintain our vehicles now days. New vehicles manufacturers are less clear about how to do this then ever before. The reason why this is going on is a war of less scheduled maintenance for lower cost of ownership. This is a selling point when the vehicle is new. Some 70% of new vehicle buyers sell or trade in the vehicle before the vehicle makes 100,000 miles. The manufacturers know this, so the second vehicles owners are taking more of a possible risk for repairs due to lack of maintenance.
I will give you recommendations based on what we recommend at Minnesota Automotive to help clear up some confusion. I will give you recommend maintenance based on 28 years experience in the field.
1) change oil often, how often depends on the vehicle and what kid of oil used. We say every 3,000 miles with a blend oil if mostly city driving is done, lots of idling or dusty conditions. Up to 5,000 miles if doing mostly highway driving. For full synthetic 5,000 miles city driving, lots of idling or dusty conditions . This Can be extended to 7,500 for highway driving. We do not recommend ever going over 7,500 miles or 2 years on any oil change.
2) Have good inspections done at every oil change, rotate tires every 6,000 to 10,000 miles. We recommend every other oil change for best tire life. Tire PSI should also be checked twice per year at a minimum.
3) Replace air filters every 20,000 miles or 2 years, note if running in dusty conditions may need to be done more often. Fuel filters if equipped ? Every 30,000 miles or 2 years this includes Diesels engine’s.
4) Transmission fluid service every 50,000 miles( note if service has not been done on a regular bases never do a flush on vehicles over 100,000 miles with no history of service) on the transmission, doing so could cost you a new transmission.
5) Wash and wax( seal coat) your vehicle often. Keeping a clean vehicle will help maintain the paint and value of your vehicle. Follow directions on what method you decide. I recommend washing is often as needed but to put a sealer on a minimum of twice per year. Also note if you are lucky enough to park in a garage or out of the sun do so, that will help keep your vehicle nicer longer as the suns ultraviolet rays eat at your cars plastic and rubber components. Keep rodents like mice out of your vehicle by using mint spray and dryer sheets. Contact Minnesota Automotive for the best advise on your vehicle.
6) If you live in a cold weather state where they use salt and chemicals to clear the ice. Rust Proofing is recommend. Use a lanolin based product like Fluid film or Woolwax to have your underside of your vehicle sprayed to prevent the rust from starting or getting worse.
7) Other fluid flush’s and changes. Brake fluid flush every 3 years or 30,000 miles. Coolant every 7 years or 150,000 miles (unless contaminated may need to be done more often) If the vehicle still has power steering fluid every 5 years or 60,000 miles( note most new vehicles have electric power steering and don’t have fluid) If equipped transfer case every 60,000 miles even if factory said lifetime fluid, not true...lol. Differentials service every 10 years or 100,000 miles
8) Tune up and spark plugs depends on the vehicle most are recommend by factory to change at 100,000 miles follow the factory recommendations if need to be done more often. We recommend 80,000 miles on most vehicle or to change them about 20% before they are due by factory.
9) Timing belts and water pumps recommend to be done on most vehicles every 100,000 or 10 years if equipped. ( Note some vehicles are due at 60k miles) ( Note most engine’s are interference so the engine will be wrecked if timing belt brakes or slips). Vehicle battery needs to be tested every year most shops will do this for free. Note most vehicle batteries last 5 years if the battery is kept charged its whole life.
10) Good inspections should be done daily check for fluid leaks low tires and bad lights by the driver of the vehicle. Any noises, shakes, vibrations or rattles should be noted and brought to your local shop asap for repairs.
11) Find a trusted shop and stick with them, You will get better overall service going to1 shop for most of your work. If you bounce around stuff can get misted. Then you need to be good remembering yourself has this been done yet ? Also note shops that report to Carfax make it easier to look up history of work being done and may save a denial from an aftermarket warranty company. If you did your maintenance and it was recorded with Carfax.
In closing, if you are a perfectionist with your vehicle and follow our recommendations you will win in the end. Your vehicle will last longer and be worth a lot more. Not all of have time or money for this but if you do it’s a win win.