People across the country recently participated in community car care events hosted by the Car Care Council. According to data they gathered, most vehicles on the road are in need of some type of service. The Car Care Council wants drivers to understand that preventative maintenance can help their vehicles run better and for longer.
Where Most Maintenance is Required
As they gathered the results from community car care event inspections, the Car Care Council found that eight out of 10 vehicles need some type of service. The inspections checked a variety of areas including wipers, belts, hoses, air filters, lighting, tires and lubricant/fluids.
The top areas they found needing attention were:
- Engine Oil
- Belts/Hoses
- Air Filters
- Check Engine Light
- Batteries
In 22 percent of vehicles tested, the oil was either low, overfull or dirty. The inspection revealed 18 percent of belts were in unsatisfactory condition, as was the case for batteries, which were in need of cable, clamp or terminal repairs. The number of vehicles with illuminated check engine lights rose slightly from last year’s number to 14 percent, and at least 12 percent of cars needed new hoses.
Since the Car Care Council focuses on preventative maintenance and how it can help vehicle owners, they offer a free Car Care Guide on their website, www.carcare.org. The guide includes information to help drivers better understand and maintain their vehicles, as well as questions to ask technicians.
The Benefits of Proper Car Care
It is no secret that cars need service to maintain their quality. When you have a new vehicle, less maintenance is typically required, but there are some things you can do to keep it looking and acting newer longer. These tips will also help you build or maintain equity in your vehicle, which is important if you want to trade in your car down the line.
- Perform regular maintenance - Follow the manufacturer recommended guidelines for service found in your owner's manual.
- Keep up appearances - Wash and wax often, and repair scratches and dings as soon as they happen.
- Avoid excessive mileage - The more miles you put on it, the faster your vehicle is susceptible to maintenance issues and the quicker it loses value.
If you have a used car, taking the same approach can help you extend the life of and equity in your vehicle. Used vehicles may also need more service to maintain their safety and performance, so, a good tip is to take yours to an ASE-certified mechanic for service.
It may also be a good idea to utilize a franchised dealership with certified mechanics, as they will be specially trained for the specifications of your particular brand. They are also more likely to know if your car needs special attention, such as if it is under recall.
The Bottom Line
Whatever the age of your vehicle, proper maintenance is important to maintaining its safety, performance and value over time. If maintenance issues have you thinking the time has come for a new ride, Auto Credit Express can help.
Our specialized network of dealerships has the resources that can assist people with credit challenges when it comes to getting vehicle financing. Our service is free of cost and obligation, and getting started is easy. Take the first step by filling out our online auto loan request form.
