Maintaining your vehicle is crucial to ensuring its longevity, performance, and safety on the road. It’s super common to make mistakes when maintaining your vehicle, which is why we’re here to help! Let’s cover the top 7 maintenance mistakes car owners make and the impact they have on your vehicle!
1. Neglecting Regular Oil Changes
Oil is the most important fluid for your engine because it lubricates all the moving parts and prevents wear and tear. Failing to change your oil at regular intervals can cause engine damage and decreased fuel efficiency for your vehicle. It is crucial to stick to the recommended oil change schedule in your owner’s manual to avoid this damage!
2. Ditching Tire Maintenance
Your vehicle’s tires are its only point of contact with the road, making them critical for safety and performance. Ignoring tire maintenance, such as proper inflation, rotation, and alignment, can lead to uneven tire wear, reduced traction, and even blowouts. Check your tire pressure regularly, keep an eye out for the tire light on your dash and have your tires rotated and aligned as recommended by your technician.
3. Forgetting Fluid Checks
In addition to oil, your vehicle relies on various fluids, including coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid to function properly. Forgetting to check and top up these fluids can result in overheating, brake failure, transmission issues, steering problems, and more. Make it a habit to inspect your vehicle’s fluid levels regularly and top them up as needed so you don’t experience any issues!
4. Skipping Routine Inspections
Regular inspections by a qualified technician can help catch potential problems before they escalate into costly repairs. Skipping routine inspections can result in overlooking and neglecting potential issues, such as worn brake pads, leaky hoses, and failing belts, which can compromise your vehicle’s safety and performance over time. With every service, Birchwood includes a vehicle inspection to catch any vehicle issues early!
5. Using Incorrect Parts or Fluids
Using the wrong parts or fluids in your vehicle can have serious consequences, including reduced performance, increased wear and tear, and even mechanical failure. Always use parts and fluids that meet your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications to ensure optimal performance. At Birchwood, we ensure all the parts we use are correct for your vehicle by asking the right questions, doing thorough research, and getting enough information.
6. Ignoring Your Battery
Your vehicle’s battery is essential for starting the engine and powering electrical components such as lights, radio, and climate control. Avoiding battery maintenance, such as cleaning terminals, checking connections, and testing voltage, can result in unexpected breakdowns, a dead battery, and stranded situations. It’s important to have your battery inspected and tested regularly, especially before long trips or extreme weather conditions.
7. Overlooking the Air Filter
The air filter prevents dirt, dust, and debris from entering your engine, ensuring clean air for combustion. Over time, the air filter can become clogged and dirty, restricting airflow and reducing your engine performance. Neglecting to replace the air filter regularly can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and potential engine damage. Check your air filter periodically and replace it as needed!
By avoiding these common vehicle maintenance mistakes and staying proactive with your car care routine, you can keep your vehicle running smoothly, efficiently, and safely for years to come. Birchwood can help you with proper maintenance so you can enjoy a reliable and trouble-free driving experience!
