Understanding the Essential Maintenance Your Car Needs

No matter what kind of car you drive, maintenance is critical to keeping the car running and performing at its best. No matter what make, model, or type of vehicle, you have critical parts that need attention on a regular basis.

Oil and Lubrication

The oil and filter in your engine lubricate the engine and help to keep the engine temperature stable. The oil works to reduce the friction on the moving parts, reducing heat production inside the engine. The oil filter is critical to keeping the engine oil clean and free of small particles of dirt or metal that can damage the cylinder walls, bearings, and seals inside the engine.

Most manufacturers recommend changing the oil and filter every three thousand miles, but with new synthetic oils and better filters, some manufacturers have stretched that time out to five thousand miles or more. No matter what the recommendation is for your car, stick to it. If you drive the car hard, you may want to do it a little sooner than the recommendation.

Transmission Fluid

For cars with automatic transmissions, the condition of the transmission fluid will affect the performance of the transmission. The transmission fluid will thin out over time and, because the transmission works on pressure, the transmission might not shift correctly with thin, work oil in it.

Again, many manufacturers recommend three thousand miles for the transmission fluid. Talk to your technician about it if you have concerns.

Tire Rotation

Probably one of the most overlooked maintenance items on any list, tire rotation if critical if you want to get the most life out of your tires. The tires wear differently in each position they occupy. Rotating them allows the tires to wear in different spots in each position, keeping the wear even across all four tires.

The best time to rotate the tires is when your car is in for an oil change. The technician can do it very quickly for you, and some shops even include it in the cost of the service.

Underhood Inspection

Inspecting your hoses, belts, and underhood items won’t take long. Most of it is a visual inspection, and the tech will most likely do that as soon as the hood goes up for an oil change. If any of the belts are heavily worn, or a hose looks concerning, the technician will let you know.

Replacing these items before they fail can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. A belt that breaks may damage other parts on the engine and will keep a lot of your belt-driven accessories from working properly.

This is also a good time for the tech to look for damage to the engine or spots that leak oil, water, or a combination of them. If the engine compartment is extremely dirty, the tech may recommend that you clean the engine steam and apply a degreaser to take the difficult-to-remove debris off the engine.

Air Filter

Another extremely overlooked item in most cars is the air filter. The filter can clog with dust, dirt, and other material, making it hard to get the air to the carburetor or fuel injection system. If the car cannot breathe properly, it will not run well and could use an excessive amount of fuel.

Change the filter as needed, but check the filter every time you change the oil in the car and replace it when you no longer see light through the filter.

Euroclassics, LTD. , specializes in repairs on European cars but can handle all your service needs. Our prices are some of the best around, and we will treat your car with as much care as we do our own. Give us a call or stop by the shop today. Discuss your maintenance needs with us and set up an appointment for your car right away.