Every person is unique, and every car is unique too. Regardless of the make or model, cars will have different maintenance schedules. Even if you’ve owned a Honda Pilot in the past, your new Honda Civic may require different services at different times of year. Unlike humans, cars can’t always let you know when they’re feeling rundown. You may see a difference in how they’re operating, but besides that, it can be easy to forget to give your car the TLC it needs.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stay on top of car maintenance before the check engine light appears or you’re left stranded on the side of the highway. Read on for tips and tricks to keep your car in tip-top shape without needing to post a bunch of sticky notes to your refrigerator door!
1. Get to Know Your Car
Whether you’re just driving your car off the lot or have had it for some time, it’s never too late to get to know your car. This starts with getting to know every button and gizmo on your dashboard. That flashing light that you’ve seen blinking is probably there for a reason. The same goes for the fluid level light or the tire pressure sensor. Many of the latest car models have digitized screens with helpful information; however, the user manual is another great place to look if you’re unsure why something is blinking.
Additionally, it’s also important to understand when and how often your car needs a checkup. Depending on the car, some can go for months without needing to be brought into a dealership, while others will run optimally with more regular maintenance. Be sure to ask the dealership while you’re buying the car what this schedule looks like (after all, it could affect your final purchase decision). Those who have owned their car for some years or are purchasing it second-hand can find this information online or ask a reputable dealership.
Some dealerships have started to use automotive AI technology to send automated service reminders to those who have purchased their vehicles from the dealership. These helpful reminders drive consumers back to the dealership for their routine maintenance checkups, thereby driving loyalty and trust. Check with your dealership to see if they offer this type of service, and if not, be sure to make a schedule in your digital calendar to stay on top of everything. A quarterly reminder to conduct regular maintenance can save you money. Any even if regular maintenance seems expensive, it’s much less than the cost of a new car if your current one is not maintained well.
2. Think Short and Long Term
In terms of car maintenance, some checkups can be considered short-term, while others should be thought of as more long-term. Short-term checkups are often performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or every quarter or so. These types of checks include tire pressure, oil levels, air filter inspections, headlight and parking light signals, and windshield wiper blades. Many of these are accessory checks, or those that are needed for the car but not required. Yes, you need your headlights to work properly for late-night driving, but not having them won’t stop the car in its tracks.
Long-term checkups are more detailed inspections focused on car parts that may wear down over time. This includes brake inspections, transmission fluid checks, timing belt replacements, and battery testing and replacements. Each of these is necessary for the proper use of the car. State inspections also fit under these long-term checkups, with many states mandating these be done once per year.
Of course, both short and long-term checkpoints will vary based on your car’s specific needs as well as the age of the car and other factors. They can also vary based on how you plan to use the car. For instance, if you have a major road trip planned, you’ll likely want to get the car examined thoroughly ahead of time. Or even if your car is taking a hiatus and being put in storage for one reason or another, you’ll want to set it up for hibernation before you turn off the engine. Taking a look at your calendar year and planning accordingly for these checkups can help ensure every part of your car is well cared for.
3. Document Everything
Every time your car undergoes a different service or maintenance, document it. You never know when this information will come in handy or when a repair person will ask for past car history. Think of it as a medical record for your car. For it to feel its best, dealerships will want to know when it’s been serviced, how regularly, and what occurred during each service as well. Remembering all of these details is challenging, which is why you’ll want to take and keep all notes.
It may be helpful to set up a file on your laptop computer or a physical file in your home to store these items. Everything from receipts to service orders can be held here for the lifetime of the car. When or if you decide to sell the car or trade it in, you can show potential buyers how well you’ve cared for it. This can repay itself over again if a buyer sees you’ve been conscious of its maintenance needs.
When making these notes, include items such as the date of service, current mileage, work performed, parts used, and any labor costs. If you’ve just gotten the engine serviced, but the check engine light pops up the next week, you can go back to the service shop and let them know. A high-quality dealership shouldn’t charge you again, especially if you can prove that you were just there!
Takeaways
Car maintenance may not be top of mind until you’re in the garage and your car doesn’t start or you’re pulling out of a parking lot and realize your tire pressure is low. To avoid these scenarios, it’s best to take a proactive approach and put your car’s needs first. It will thank you by providing you with many years and miles of joy!
