Owning a car also means a lot of responsibility in the car and maintenance of your vehicle. All vehicles require routine maintenance to keep the car in the best condition possible. What you may not realize is that taking car of those inexpensive maintenance visits on schedule can help extend the life of your vehicle and save you tons of money while you’re at it.
This post is sponsored by YourMechanic. All opinions are our own.
YourMechanic surveyed hundreds of mechanics from all over the country to help compile this list of the top 5 maintenance tips they want all car owners to know. By taking care of easy maintenance, you can save yourself lots of trouble, and expense.
Top 5 Maintenance Tips to Extend Vehicle Life
With 84 percent of vehicles on the road in need of a service or new part, YourMechanic surveyed hundreds of mechanics from more than 30 states to compile the top five tips car owners can follow as a guide to help extend the life of their vehicle:
Image Source: YourMechanic
- Keep up with oil changes. When oil levels are low, or oil is old, added friction between moving parts can cause wear and tear to the engine. Follow your owner’s manual to determine the best intervals for changing oil. Check the brakes every time the oil is changed.
- Take care of your tires. Check and maintain proper tire pressure. Tires inflated within five pounds per square inch (PSI) of their recommended level improve gas mileage and general handling of your vehicle. Recommended PSI can be found in the owner’s manual. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
- Check vehicle fluids. Vehicles rely on transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and properly mixed coolant to run. Fluids need to be topped off for optimal vehicle performance throughout the life of the vehicle.
- Change air filters regularly. Dust and grime accumulates over time and can negatively impact gas mileage and engine performance.
- Take care of minor repairs when they arise. New noises or changes in the drivability of a vehicle should be checked out promptly.
Car owners are advised to follow the manufacturer’s suggested service schedule for optimal performance.
Why Oil Changes Matter
A visit with your auto mechanic every 3,000 to 6,000 miles can tackle many of these easy maintenance tasks in a single visit. They’ll be able to change your oil, check fluids and filters, and even tackle a minor repair at the same visit. All that it requires is a little discipline on your part to schedule an appointment and follow your car’s recommended schedule.
YourMechanic shared a fascinating look how much it costs when you ignore basic car care, and the numbers really speak for themselves. Is a delay of taking care of your oil change, a simple maintenance task that’s less than $100, really worth what can result in damages in the thousands of dollars? The article warns that anything over 6,000 miles will cause your car problems.
There’s a common mistruth that you can ignore that flashing light and warning to get an oil change and easily wait another thousand or so miles. But that can be a costly mistake. One of the biggest reasons people delay getting their oil changed is the inconvenience of scheduling an appointment and taking off work for this routine task. But there’s an easier way to tackle your car maintenance, that works on your schedule – and location!
An Easier Way to Get Oil Changes
The world has changed, and so has the way we seek out car repairs. Gone are the days of waiting in a mechanic shop for hours while our car gets work done. Heading into a shop demands lots of your time and there is a large shop expense that goes along with it. YourMechanic has figured out the solution – a mechanic that comes to you at less than your used to paying!
A qualified, certified mechanic can come right to your home or office and work on your car repairs while you tackle your other responsibilities – whether that be taking care of the family or working your 9-5. The service providers have more flexible hours than a traditional shop location, too, with mechanics available 7 days a week between 7am and 9pm to fit your maintenance in around your schedule.
As a mom of a toddler, I have always dreaded when the car needs maintenance, even something as easy as an oil change, because I know just how difficult that time sitting in the shop can be. Instead, I can get an upfront quote from YourMechanic that outlines exactly what the rate for service will be including a breakdown detailing parts and labor expenses. You might be surprised to hear they’ll even save you money as they can cut out the major expenses of owning a shop and pass on those savings to you as a customer while still providing fair rates for the mechanics.
We were able to tackle some minor repairs right from the convenience of our own home where my toddler could stick to his regular routine – including lunch time and naps – all while our car was being serviced. I also really appreciate being able to check in on the mechanic while he worked and know that my car was actually being worked on, not being left ignored in a bay while I waited.
Get an Oil Change – and an NFL Blanket!
There’s no better time than now to make that oil change appointment and take care of your car maintenance from your home or office while you manage other tasks. With the ease of YourMechanic, you no longer need to put it off or make excuses for this easy maintenance that will save you from expensive repairs.
Plus, for a limited time, you can score a free official NFL fleece throw with your qualified oil change service. You’ll just book an oil change or add an oil change to any appointment with YourMechanic between September 15, 2017 and January 31, 2018. After your appointment, you can redeem your free NFL throw online or by mail. Just check the terms to see if you’ll qualify.
YourMechanic will send an email reminder directly to those customers who qualify with all the instructions making it easy to fill in the form and request a blanket featuring your favorite NFL team! We are Seahawks fans, and my boys were so excited for the comfy throw that came after our service appointment. We love the colors, and it’s really soft and larger than I expected!
Visit yourmechanic.com/NFL2017 for more details on this promotion and to schedule your appointment!