The name “preventative maintenance” speaks for itself; it helps keep your car from requiring more advanced and pricey types of maintenance in the future by fixing small problems early on. You should bring your vehicle to a garage if you notice any shaking, odd smells, smoke, or weird sounds coming from your engine, brakes, or other parts of the vehicle. Sometimes your vehicle won’t give any physical indication that something is wrong, which is when preventative care comes into place. Having regular maintenance and checks performed on your vehicle will keep it running smoothly, and keep you from shelling out big money on repairs later.
At Maclane’s Automotive, our goal is to help our customers get the best out of their cars, so we have created this annual list of four types of preventive maintenance you should think about. Preventive maintenance’s central to the thought is to manage little dilemmas beforehand so that they do not become giant ones. This upturn of your attitude can indeed save you and your car a lot of resources in terms of time, money and unplanned repairs. Regular servicing is a way to ensure that your car is always dependable and safe to use. Preventive maintenance is never limited to repairs only; it is also an anti-problem strategy. By attending to small problems, you have a guarantee that they will not grow into larger, more costly ones down the road.
Moreover, the periodic maintenance check-ups not only fix the issues but also guarantee that your vehicle is in perfect condition, and thus, you can be comfortable during the ride. The qualified mechanics will be there for you anytime to carry out a basic oil change, brake adjustment, or even a difficult repair. We understand that taking care of a vehicle can be a very tiring task, but nevertheless, we will do it in the most enjoyable and hassle-free way possible. The outstanding quality of our work and the happiness of our customers are the two factors that differentiate us from other garages. We always treat your vehicles with the utmost care and work to foster a close relationship with our customers over a long period of time. This is why our shop is a place where you can have the full confidence that your vehicle will be given the utmost care it deserves.
Primary Focus Areas of Preventative Maintenance Services
Timing Belt Inspection
The timing belt is a crucial component of the engine that has a direct impact on its performance. The belt controls the movements of the pistons and camshaft to avoid any banging of the engine’s crucial parts and hence, no unnecessary friction is created. The fault of the timing belt leads to the creation of noise and heat, which in worst cases might imply your engine needing to be repaired or replaced.
Typically, the timing belt needs to be changed after a car has gone 60,000 miles, but even if you are not quite in the market for a new one having it checked every year would be a wise decision to make as it will confirm that everything is perfectly alright and running smoothly. In a timing belt inspection our professionals will look for indications of aging and degeneration like cracks or misting. In case any complications are found, we will advise you on the right steps to take in order to maintain the smooth operation of your engine. Routine timing belt examinations are absolutely necessary for saving the engine from damage and prolonging the life of your automobile. Ignoring this crucial part can result in expensive repairs and even engine failure. Being vigilant about your timing belt maintenance will save you from these annoyances and keep your car running.
Oil Change
Possibly the most mentioned preventative maintenance on our blog, an oil change is important to keep your engine running smoothly. Muddy or thick oil will contaminate components in your vehicle, keeping them from running properly and causing a buildup of grime in the mechanics. You should have your oil changed every 3,000 to 10,000 miles depending on the look of it.
To determine whether your oil needs to be changed, check your oil. Mechanics can do this as a part of preventive maintenance but it’s also something you can easily do at your home without worrying about vehicle DIY practices causing any damage to your vehicle. If you own a car, you should learn how to check the oil for cleanliness regardless of using an electronic gage or a classic dip stick. It would be good to check the oil frequently; it is an easy task and can save the engine from being damaged as a result of hesitating or not watching it. When you see that oil is dirty or not enough, then it is change time. The main reason clean oil is necessary for your engine is to lubricate its moving parts and avoid excessive wear and tear. Oil changes at regular intervals also help your engine performance and longevity.
This is something your mechanic can do for you during preventative maintenance, but it’s also a task that you can do at home without worrying about damaging your vehicle with DIY practices. Regardless of the method you choose, whether it’s an electronic gage or a classic dip stick, if you are a car owner you must know how to perform a clean oil check. Oil checking is a very easy task that can save you from engine damage that might otherwise happen. In case of dirty or low oil, change is recommended. Clean oil is a must as it provides the necessary lubrication to the engine’s moving parts and also helps to prevent excessive wear and tear. Keeping up with the oil changes not only results in good engine performance but also prolongs the engine’s life.
Battery Check
The only thing your mechanic can do for your battery is to swap it out with a new one, but the battery is still a good indicator of the car’s life span. For example, if your battery should be working like new, but is experiencing trouble starting your vehicle, or maintaining a charge during use, it could be that your starting and charging system is having trouble.
A professional mechanic, like our team at Maclane’s Automotive, will detect if there are any leaks, battery buildup, and maybe even other issues that are creating a malfunction of the battery. At times, the battery may be difficult to use just because a little bit of buildup is present in the contacts. The mechanic will tear it down, clean it up, and even make the necessary changes and your car will be working as good as new again. Periodic battery checking is a must to ensure that your car will always start and that electric system will be functioning properly. A defective battery can leave you in the middle of nowhere and it can also cause damage to other components of the vehicle. By solving battery problems in time, you are able to eliminate these inconveniences and maintain the smooth operation of your vehicle. Our technicians have the right tools and skills to easily detect and fix any battery-related problems that you may experience.
Tire Alignment
The way you drive your vehicle can, over time, wear tread differently, and cause your tires to shift off their original spots on your vehicle. Steering may be a problem if your tires are not properly aligned. You should have an alignment performed every time you change your tires to ensure that everything is sitting correctly on your vehicle. Also, remember to rotate your tires on a regular basis so that one side does not get worn out faster than the other. This will result in a smooth ride as well.
It can look like a lot of time and money when getting an alignment and rotation done at the same time as tire replacement, but it is definitely worth it. Usually, tires that are not rotated and aligned vehicles will be requiring new tires at an earlier point in time than expected. Tire alignment and rotation are the most important factors for the handling, fuel efficiency, and life of the tires of your car. Misaligned tires can result in uneven wear, reduced traction, and increased noise coming from the tires. The alignment and rotation will give you not only a longer tire life but also a better performance of your vehicle in general. Our technicians are skilled in performing precise tire alignments and rotations in such a way that your car will handle safely and efficiently.
Choose Maclane’s Automotive For Your Professional Auto Repair Needs
If you need more information regarding preventive maintenance or if you wish to book an appointment with one of our certified mechanics, do not hesitate to reach out to us today. At Maclane’s Automotive, we take the burden off your car by doing the hard work for you. By enrolling in our preventive maintenance services, you could potentially avoid high-cost-repairs-later and save yourself a lot of time too.
If you are curious and want to find out about the various kinds of preventive maintenance your vehicle needs and its significance, feel free to give us a call today at (610) 590-9974 to learn more. Our team of experts is dedicated to empowering clients with the necessary knowledge and resources for car maintenance. Besides, our blog will keep you updated on vehicle upkeep and help you to make the right decisions regarding your car’s care.
