Caring for your car comes in two forms: car repair and car maintenance. Here’s how to understand the difference.
Car Repair vs. Car Maintenance
When some part of your car isn’t performing properly, you bring it in for repair. Car repair is about fixing what’s broken or not working, from engine repair to a broken windshield.
Car maintenance, on the other hand, is about extending the life of your vehicle. If you don’t take the proper maintenance steps, you can expect your vehicle to call it quits years before it needs to. Maintaining your car also keeps it in good shape so it’s less likely to need repairs — that’s important, because repair is generally more costly than maintenance. It’s easier to keep a quality car running smoothly than to fix a problem!
Examples of Car Maintenance
So how do you maintain your vehicle? There are lots of car maintenance services, and an auto shop can help you determine what services you need for your car.
Here’s your quick reference car maintenance checklist:
- Oil changes
- Tire rotations
- Filter changes
- Air filters, oil filters, and fuel filters
- Brake replacements
- Fluid changes or flushes
- Transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, coolant and antifreeze
- Alignments
- Winterization
And check out our Guide to Maintenance Milestones to understand when these services need to happen!
Why Maintenance Matters
Missing an oil change here and there might not seem like a big deal, but the little things add up over time. When you don’t maintain your car, you damage it. Bringing your car in for maintenance services may feel frustrating to fit into your busy day, but you know what’s really frustrating? Ending up on the side of the road because your car gave out on you, or getting in a wreck because things aren’t functioning properly. And on top of all that, auto repair can get expensive. When you focus on maintenance, you’re likely to save money in the long run.
Want to keep your car in tip-top shape? Contact us today to schedule an appointment for all your car maintenance needs.