Recommended Service & Maintenancefor New & Used Vehicle

Keeping your car up with regular maintenance can be a difficult and unpleasant task. However, it can save you a lot of money in the long run. To determine what needs to be regularly maintained, consult with your owner’s manual or visit a trusted mechanic.

It is really important to actually read your vehicle’s owner’s manual because each recommended time frame for all preventative maintenance varies from vehicle to vehicle. For example, 2010 Ford Fusion will have a different amount of time recommended between oil changes than a 2012 Ford Fusion.

Whether your vehicle is new or used, it needs routine car repair to maximize the vehicle’s performance. Regular maintenance of your vehicle not only extends the life of your vehicle, but also improves your vehicle’s fuel economy.

3,000-10,000 miles or One Year

Changing your oil is recommended every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. For exact mileage or length of time, look in your owner’s manual to comply with your vehicle’s specific make and model. The vehicle’s engine oil lubricates all moving parts and not changing your vehicle’s oil can cause serious damage to your engine.

Tire rotation is not only important in prolonging the life of your vehicle, but to ensure your safety on the road. Tires wear differently depending upon their position on your vehicle, so it is important to rotate them to distribute tire wear evenly. Tire rotation is car repair that can easily be done at home or in the auto repair shop.

Other routine car maintenance can include:

• Top windshield wiper fluid
• Tire inflation and condition
• Lights
• Dashboard Indicator Lights

11,000-20,000 miles or Two Years

Every two years the braking system should be flushed to make sure it is functioning properly. Flushing brake fluid is an important car maintenance task because brake fluid serves as a lubricant and prevents corrosion. It is also essential to prevent brake failure. To maintain safety on the road, checking and changing your brake fluid every two years is a must.

45,000 miles or Three Years

Every three years, you should inspect and replace your engine’s spark plugs. Worn out spark plugs could lead to dead cylinders, which can damage the engine and potentially shorten the lifespan of the vehicle.

60,000 miles or Four Years

At 60,000 miles you’ll want to have your belts, valves and hoses inspected. By this time, these parts of your new or used vehicle may be wearing thin and will need repair. These time periods are only standard recommendations. You can find exact time frames that are needed for your particular vehicle’s maintenance in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Overall Maintenance

In addition to any routine car repair, if you notice anything strange about your vehicle, do not hesitate to bring it to your mechanic. When a vehicle is not functioning properly, you should take it in to diagnose the problem very quickly; waiting could cause permanent damage to the vehicle and even render it worthless.