Most drivers take their car or truck for granted.  Yes, they get their yearly inspection and they try and remember to get an oil change when its convenient, but for the most part there is a lot of preventative car care that isn’t done.  Like, when was the last time you had your air filter checked and replaced?  How about a cooling system flush or a tuneup?

There are a lot of different parts on a car from the battery and alternator to spark plugs, belts, the radiator, etc… and all of these parts are critical to your car running right and being dependable.  Most cars do not routinely receive the right amount of checks to all these parts and areas.  Maybe you remembered to change the oil, but what about the air filter and maybe before that long trip you should have the cooling system checked along with a tuneup.

Yes, we all know that if you take your vehicle to a new car dealership you will be told that items that do not require replacement should be replaced as they go by severe conditions recommendations which usually do not apply in most cases.  They do this to boost revenues through the service department and all their service advisors are trained to do this form of ripping you off.  Instead, take your car to a non franchised service shop and have them do a used car check over (just like you would want if you were purchasing a used car to alert you to all the items that actually need repair).  Most non franchised service shops are pretty good about this and will alert you to items needing repair immediately and those that will need it in the future. 

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They will also often times recommend you using used or discounted auto parts as they are far cheaper and just as good.  For laughs you should take the same car to a franchised new car dealer and then to a good, non franchised service shop or center and see the huge difference on what the recommended and required repairs are along with the costs.  There will be a huge difference.  As an example, last year I took my 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora to a new car dealer because the check engine light was on.  The service advisor told me I needed close to $5,000 worth of work done to it.  I then found a mechanic whom owned his own shop through Craigs List and he even came to my house to work on the car.  His price?  Under $300 and the car runs great!

Now, regardless of where you go (you should steer away from new car and franchised dealers as they will rip you off every time) it is important that you do routine maintenance to your vehicle.  Get oil changes when recommended by the manufacturer (check your owners manual for this – do not go by what the new car dealer says as they will always recommend you do this at every 3,000 miles which is overkill in most cases – usually 5,000 miles is good).  Also have your coolant flushed once a year, your belts checked and an alignment if necessary (this can be important as all it takes is one big pot hole and it can completely throw off your alignment).

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Also be sure to have your tires rotated routinely (this is usually a free service from most places where you buy your tires (I highly recommend BJ’s for your tires as they include free hazard insurance on your tires and free rotations along with the lowest prices you will find anywhere).  Have your battery checked, terminals cleaned, brakes checked (you wouldn’t believe how many cars on the road today have inadequate and extremely dangerous brakes), etc…  As the saying goes a little routine or preventative maintenance goes a long way.  $100 in preventative maintenance can easily save you from a $1500 extensive repair bill.