Regular maintenance is a good investment. Your car health is as critical as routine doctor visits to people. Cars that are well cared for are cleaner, more efficient, better running, and last longer. Read on for more information on the importance of a consistent schedule for car maintenance.

Money

It may seem that by taking your car in for regular maintenance, you are spending more money and time. You can save money and time down the road by adhering to a car maintenance schedule. The cost of replacing a timing belt before it fails, for example, is much cheaper than it will be if you wait until it fails and causes further damage to your engine. Items like adequately inflated tires and clean filters also improve your fuel economy, which will help you save gas money.

Time

If you are removing the timing belt on schedule, the car will also be in the shop for less time than if you wait until it fails. You also get leverage when you take your vehicle to the shop if you adhere to a maintenance schedule. But if you miss those appointments, your car could end up breaking down at an inappropriate time, causing you to be late for a significant event.

Safety

A clean, reliable car is a must-have, whether you're on a long road trip or driving to and from the office for a few minutes. It also guarantees that your car is safe to drive by adhering to a maintenance schedule. If you get your vehicle serviced when you are meant to, you can trust that your brakes are working and that your engine is in top shape.

Money, time, and safety are three important reasons to maintain a regular car maintenance schedule. If you are unsure of when to get your car serviced, AAA provides a basic schedule to help you along the way. Continue reading for a shortlist. 

  • Oil-change intervals are now recommended between 5,000 to 10,000 or more miles
  • Transmission fluids are designed to last more than 100,000 miles
  • Read the maintenance requirements set by auto manufacturers in the owner’s manual, which is the most accurate source for your vehicle’s maintenance needs.
  • Follow the recommendations of in-vehicle maintenance reminder systems for oil-change intervals and other services.