In a lot of ways, your car serves as your livelihood. It gets you where you need to go, makes it possible for you told hold commitments, and keeps you safe while you travel. However, an ill-maintained car is not going to serve you like this for very long. In fact, failure to follow proper maintenance techniques wastes your time and the money you’ve invested in your vehicle. Take a look at some of the most common auto repair mistakes that compromise the lifespan of your vehicle.
1. Neglecting typical wear and tear.
Vehicles are built to last many miles, but they can only live up to their true potential if there is an effort made to tend to regular wear and tear. For example, if you have bad tires and you just continue driving your car anyway, it can be hard on things like the drivetrain and suspension system.
2. Not giving proper attention to warning lights.
Most modern vehicles come equipped with a full range of sensors that feed information to warning indicators in your instrument panel. These lights serve the valuable purpose of diagnosing certain problems for you without you having to do a thing, so they do deserve your attention. Ignoring these warning lights is an easy way to see major problems with your vehicle.
3. Using Google to self-diagnose problems instead of an auto repair shop.
The Age of the Internet allows information about all things to come along with a few mouse clicks. With a few YouTube videos and helpful articles, it is easy to assume a false sense of confidence and start diagnosing vehicle problems on your own. There is no way Google can act in place of professional mechanical training, and misdiagnosing a problem can lead to costlier repairs later on. So visiting an auto repair shop is a much more viable option.
4. Not buying good quality fluids for your vehicle.
There are recommendations from the manufacturer about what type and, sometimes even what brand, of fluids should be used when you purchase it. Following these recommendations is important for the life of your vehicle. Stick with good quality fluids when replacing your engine oil, transmission fluid, and coolant, and make sure you are using the type with the recommended properties and designations.
5. Not being mindful of manufacturer recalls.
When enough people find a fault with their new vehicle and file a complaint with the manufacturer, the manufacturer tends to take action by issuing a recall notice for certain parts. Recall notices can be a little alarming, but they can also mean going to a licensed auto repair shop to have the necessary work done, and this can interrupt your usual schedule. Even though that may be the case, ignoring recall notices is a surefire way to end up with major problems.
All in all, the power to make your vehicle last a really long time is in your hands. Work with a reliable auto repair shop to ensure your vehicle is capable of giving you as many miles as you expect it to give.