Commonly Overlooked Auto Maintenance Tasks

Most vehicle owners know that they’re supposed to perform regular maintenance tasks, such as taking their cars in for oil changes every 3,000 to 7,500 miles or so. However, there’s a lot more to maintaining a car and prolonging its life than simply keeping it in clean oil. Unfortunately, there are so many other preventative maintenance tasks that some vehicle owners tend to overlook. As a result, their cars end up needing premature auto repair or a vehicle diagnostic by a Longmont mechanic.

Belt Changes

There are many belts found within a car’s engine, all of which are important for keeping the car running smoothly. A couple examples of belts commonly found in cars are serpentine belts and drive belts. Generally, belts should be changed around every 50,000 miles, but it’s a good idea to check belts for signs of wear (such as exposed threads or poor alignment of the belt) to ensure that any repairs or replacements can be made before a major problem occurs. For example, if a serpentine belt breaks while the car is running, this can cause serious damage to the engine.

Brake Pad Replacement

Another important maintenance task car owners need to make time for is that of having their brake pads replaced as needed. Over time, brake pads become worn to the point that they need replacing. Failure to replace brake pads when they need to be replaced will eventually cause damage to the brake rotors, which are much more complicated and expensive to repair. Generally, brake pads need replaced every 30,000 miles or so, but this can depend greatly on the type of mileage put on the car (highway vs. street).

Tire Rotation

Finally, a car’s tires should always be rotated about once every 7,500 miles. This helps to promote even wear and tear on the tires, which can help prolong the lives of the tires and thus save car owners money on replacing them prematurely. When tires don’t get rotated as needed, they are much more prone to leakage, flats, and even blow-outs on the freeway. The good news is that tire rotations are relatively inexpensive and, in some cases, may be offered for free by tire companies after a purchase of new tires is made.

There’s a lot to remember when it comes to taking care of one’s car. By keeping these maintenance tasks in mind, however, one can keep their cars running well for a long time to come and avoid the need for expensive auto repair in the Longmont area.