We all know that with vehicle ownership comes a fair amount of routine maintenance that needs to be done to ensure top function and quality operation. From oil changes every few thousand miles to air filter replacements and more, routine auto maintenance in Conway, AR is inescapable, no matter what vehicle you’re driving. Moreover, it’s not optional if you want to keep your vehicle functioning.
Unfortunately, despite routine maintenance being common knowledge even amongst those drivers who aren’t necessarily auto-savvy, a sizeable portion of vehicle owners choose to neglect their routine auto maintenance. Some think that it’s not as necessary as it’s made out to be; others find it to be tedious; many find it to be expensive; and still more people simply skimp on maintenance because it doesn’t fit into their schedule. The problem with all of these instances is that the damage you’re doing to your vehicle in both the short term and the long term is going to come back with a vengeance very quickly.
The gradual breakdown
Let’s say you choose to skip the most routine service of them all: your oil change. You chug along for 3,000, 4,000 and even 5,000 miles without changing your oil, until before you know it, you’ve gone 10,000 miles without ever replacing your engine’s oil! Now, you may have saved ~$50 on an oil change, but there’s a better than average chance that your saved $50 is going to exponentially increase when a mechanic pops the hood of your vehicle next.
Here’s what happens. Your engine’s oil becomes less viscous with every passing mile and eventually, after you’re past the date for an oil change, it’s going to break down altogether. From there, friction in your engine is going to start causing excess wear and tear and eventually, components are going to start to fail. Maybe it starts with a piston (which is a costly replacement as is), then your radiator suffers a blow, then your exhaust manifold suffers strain, and so on and so forth, until your vehicle is virtually immobilized.
The breakdown is gradual, but the cause is easily preventable: staying up on routine maintenance can avoid knocking over the first domino in the situation described above.
More than just oil changes
An oil change is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to routine maintenance in Conway, AR: the list of things you should be doing in regular intervals for your vehicle spans an encompassing list. Between changing other fluids, flushing systems, replacing filters, airing up your tires, replacing windshield wipers and more, your vehicle is going to need a lot of TLC to stay happy, healthy and functional.
The key is this: stay up to date on as much of your regular maintenance as possible and always be informed about what your vehicle needs to stay running. If you don’t know or are confused, ask your mechanic for a service schedule. Do whatever it takes to stay in the know about your vehicle’s regular service items and you’ll give yourself peace of mind at all times when you’re behind the wheel.