Properly caring for a modern vehicle can be difficult, with various services and maintenance items to keep track of. For many drivers, this can result in missing key services that are crucial for keeping your vehicle running at its best. At Sun Automotive, we’ve seen firsthand how missing important maintenance service intervals can quickly lead to expensive repairs and a lot of headaches.
Understanding some of the common maintenance mistakes to avoid could save you significant cash and stress down the line. Here are five most common mistakes we see here at Sun Automotive that could end up costing you and what to do instead to keep your vehicle healthy.
Ignoring Warning Lights
It can be easy to see one of those dreaded warning lights appear on your dash and decide to ignore it for the time being, especially if you don’t notice something immediately different about your vehicle.
However, even though there may not be immediate symptoms related to the light, allowing any issue like this to linger can result in unforeseen issues, oftentimes requiring expensive repairs that could have been avoided by addressing the source of the warning light in a timely manner.
Whether this be the check engine light, oil pressure light, brake warning light, or one of the various other warning lamps your vehicle uses to communicate, failing to take care of any of these issues is a recipe for a large bill at the repair shop.
Skipping Oil Changes
Most drivers understand the importance of motor oil in their vehicle, being the primary source of lubrication for the various moving parts within your engine. However, as a service that’s needed so regularly, some drivers will assume skipping a single interval, or pushing theirs beyond the recommended timeline, won’t have much of an effect on their vehicle’s condition.
There’s a reason consistent and timely oil changes are stressed so heavily by repair facilities though, and that comes down to the fact that allowing oil to run well past its recommended replacement interval or forgoing an oil change entirely can quickly result in old and contaminated oil gumming up the system as well as a loss in the lubricative and cooling properties needed to keep your motor running without issue.
Although modern vehicles with synthetic oils can typically run longer than their conventional oil counterparts, it’s still extremely important to keep your oil maintenance timely and stick to the manufacturer’s recommended repair interval. Checking the owner’s manual is often the best source of information regarding how and when to service your oil.
Ignoring Leaks
If you notice a visible fluid leak under your vehicle, it’s critical to have this diagnosed and repaired by a trusted professional as soon as possible. Allowing leaks to linger, no matter what they are, can quickly result in a host of issues within your vehicle.
From overheating due to coolant leaks to a loss in brake pressure from a brake fluid leak, it’s never a good idea to ignore active leaks in your vehicle as it will most often lead to a costlier repair down the line.
While some small leaks can be managed with regular fluid top-offs, it’s nearly always less expensive to simply have the leak repaired and avoid needing to consistently purchase more fluid to add to the system.
Skipping Alignment Services
Wheel alignments are one of those services that, despite being a critical part of maintenance, will often go forgotten until its neglect begins to produce symptoms. However, regular alignments are actually one of the best ways to protect your vehicle’s tire lifespan and suspension system.
Allowing your vehicle to fall out of alignment, while it may not lead to any jarring symptoms at first, can result in rapid tire degradation as well as increased wear on the surrounding suspension components.
If you notice your vehicle pulling to one side while the steering wheel is straight, it’s likely due to misaligned suspension and should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent further tire and suspension wear.
Postponing Any Regular Maintenance
While we’ve focused on specific services and systems throughout this article, it’s important to note that skipping or postponing any scheduled maintenance item is always a bad idea. Your vehicle consists of various systems all working together, and when one of these systems is neglected, it will often cause problems in other surrounding and connected systems.
Speaking with a trusted automotive professional and consulting your owner’s manual is the best way to get an accurate picture of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Knowing what services are needed when is the most important part of vehicle care, and sticking to this schedule is essential for keeping your car on the road.
Scheduled Maintenance Services at Sun Automotive
If you’re looking to keep your vehicle running at it’s best, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Sun Automotive, with locations in Springfield, Eugene, and Junction City. Our team has the experience and equipment to provide your vehicle with the utmost quality of maintenance and repair services.
Give us a call or schedule online at one of our four locations to secure your spot with the premier car care facility in Eugene, Springfield, and Junction City, OR!