Poor car maintenance can, and does, lead to accidents. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 45,000 accidents per year are due to vehicle malfunction.
If we follow the “apple a day” philosophy for our bodies, why not do the same for our vehicles? Regular car maintenance is a preventative approach to maintaining the health and safety of your vehicle.
If you need more convincing, check out the other benefits of routine car maintenance below.
It Improves Safety
Those 45,000 accidents caused by vehicle malfunction are often due to poor maintenance. One of the biggest safety risks is improperly maintained tires.
It’s essential to check the tire pressure, inspect the tire treads, rotate the car tires, maintain their balance and alignment, and install them in sets.
Without this maintenance, the tires will wear out faster. This reduces the vehicle’s grip on the road, leading to accidents.
It Increases Fuel Efficiency
How well a vehicle’s internal system is functioning impacts the fuel efficiency of that vehicle. Car maintenance improves the internal system, leading to better fuel efficiency.
Getting an oil change regularly; checking the oxygen sensors, spark plugs, air filters, and fuel injectors; and monitoring the tire pressure all impact a car’s fuel efficiency.
It Lengthens Vehicle Lifespan
One of the most effective ways to keep your car running longer is to take excellent care of it. Taking care of a vehicle requires routine car maintenance.
Without regular maintenance, little problems build up over time and become big problems that threaten the life of your car. For example, coolant becomes acidic over time and can corrode many different parts of the car.
Without routine replacement of the coolant, the corrosion can cause the car to break down.
It Raises the Car Value
When people assess the value of a car, they inspect it to determine what condition it is in. A car that has been well maintained will be in great condition.
To bolster the value of your vehicle, keep receipts and make a record of your maintenance while you own it. This evidence will prove that the car is in excellent shape.
Poorly maintained cars are more of a risk for breakdowns and expensive repairs. No one wants to spend a lot of money on an unreliable car.
It Reduces Repair Costs
Regular car maintenance comes at a cost, but poor car maintenance is much more expensive. Without regular maintenance, small issues snowball into huge ones.
You don’t even need a mechanic for every maintenance job. You can view here for more of an idea about what replacing vehicle parts yourself costs.
Making Car Maintenance Routine
The key to good car maintenance is following a schedule. The oil, oil filter, and tires will need maintenance the most often. Make sure to change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles, check the tire pressure once a month, and have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles.
If you found this guide helpful, take a moment to browse the other automotive articles on our page.
