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There’s no denying the fact that car repairs can be costly. The costs can be even more from simple mistakes, like using the wrong type of oil or forgetting to change it regularly. The more you know about how to avoid these blunders, the longer life you’ll get from your car and the fewer repairs you’ll need to make over time.
Good Preventative Maintenance Practices
Preventative maintenance includes a laundry list of things you do to avoid mechanical issues related to your car. Proper vehicle maintenance will not only keep your vehicle working but working optimally.
A properly maintained car will need fewer repairs over its life. It will also operate more efficiently, meaning you’ll get more mileage from your gas and experience fewer sputters, fits, and breakdowns along the way.
The following routine maintenance practices will help you keep your car running in tip-top condition for many years to come.
Awareness of Symptoms of Car Problems
It’s important to be aware of how your car sounds and behaves when it is operating optimally— and when it’s not. Sometimes, unusual sounds in the operation of your car are first indicators that problems are on the horizon, although many of today’s newer cars provide warning lights to alert you to an issue. Be sure to heed these warnings.
Any of these things could be a sign of trouble for your car, and is well worth the peace of mind a trip to your local mechanic or dealership service center to have it checked out.
Best Practices When Under Repair
To avoid costly repairs and to make sure your car is getting the right service, read all documents carefully. Make personal notes about the problem and the specific type of repair needed.
Get a written estimate before repairs begin and make note of any differences between the repair you agreed to and the final repair price. Let the repair staff know that any differences in the repairs must approved by you and your estimate adjusted before you agree to the changes. Ask questions and get answers when the quoted price and actual price are different.
Be involved in the process from preventative maintenance to the repair shop. This will help you become a more informed consumer and create a car less likely to suffer from mechanical failure and needed costly repairs.