Owning a vehicle is a major privilege, and it comes with responsibilities too. Once you drive your car, SUV, or truck off the lot, you’re going to need to do more than drive it to keep it maintained and running. Every vehicle has a certain set of maintenance tasks that it needs over its lifetime. It is your duty to get them done so that your investment lasts a long time. It will also prevent costly repairs from growing.
While following your maintenance schedule is good practice, there are many mistakes that you can make too. Below are some of the horrible practices of bad vehicle owners that you should avoid doing at all costs:
- Ignoring dashboard warning lights, specifically the check engine light. Once you see the infamous check engine warning light come on, it is imperative that you get a proper diagnosis from a professional mechanic. Otherwise, the problem can spread, leaving you stuck on the side of the road.
- Never changing car fluids and engine oil. Your car fluids need to change from time to time. As they run throughout your vehicle, they can darken, pick up contaminants, and overall become less effective over time. You should never skip an oil change, or you can suffer from major consequences like oil sludge and long-term engine damage. Therefore, protect your engine with frequent oil changes. Feel free to bring your vehicle to Paul’s Automotive for quick and convenient motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid checks and top-offs.
- Ignoring your tires. Tire pressure and tire treads are the two main characteristics of the tire that you should care about over its lifetime. Otherwise, underinflated pressure or patchy tires can make your tires more vulnerable to blowouts. The last thing we want for you is for you to be in an accident, so make sure to bring your car to our shop for regular tire inspections.
- Not following your automaker’s maintenance schedule. Nowadays, most car manufacturers have done the work for you – they have created detailed maintenance agendas for you to follow at specific intervals. All you have to do is take your car to a trusted dealer or auto repair shop to have them done. And you won’t miss a single thing! Following your factory scheduled maintenance will also protect any warranties you may have with the car maker.
Vehicle maintenance is the most reliable and surest way to keep you, your vehicle, and your family safe on the road. If you need quality maintenance done to your car, feel free to call or stop by the experts at Paul’s Automotive in Baltimore, MD, today.