5 Reasons Why Preventive Maintenance is Useful for Used Cars
While they may lack that “new car smell,” used cars can provide years of service —if you treat them right. Used car engines have some degree of wear and tear before you sit in the driver’s seat, and without routine car maintenance, unexpected problems can develop. Preventative car maintenance identifies and resolves minor issues before they worsen, saving you money and giving you peace of mind. Here are five important reasons for taking a used car in for regular preventive maintenance.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
Preventive maintenance for cars helps your engine use fuel more efficiently, saving you money at the pump and improving your vehicle’s environmental impact. Regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and tire rotations all help you get the most miles to the gallon. Regularly checking your tire pressure and keeping your tires inflated also improves mileage. Switching to a high-mileage motor oil may improve engine efficiency for used cars with over 75,000 miles on their odometers.
Several issues that trigger your Check Engine Light can contribute to lower fuel economy, including faulty O2 sensors, clogged valves, and problems with your fuel injectors. Scheduling car maintenance to diagnose and resolve such issues can improve your mileage.
Grease Monkey® offers a multipoint oil change service that checks many factors that impact fuel efficiency, including checking and setting tire pressure, replacing dirty air filters, and changing up to five quarts of motor oil. Between multipoint oil change services, we provide complimentary fluid top-offs to help keep your engine operating at peak capacity.
Enhances Safety for You and Other Motorists
Preventative car maintenance helps ensure your vehicle is as safe as possible. Regular tire alignments and rotations improve your car’s handling while providing a smoother ride. Checking brakes and replacing worn brake pads gives you more control over your vehicle, as does replacing worn tires. You’re less likely to experience unexpected breakdowns or sudden engine failure by scheduling preventive car maintenance.
Could Prevent Costly Repairs in the Future
Preventive maintenance for cars identifies minor issues that can lead to costly repairs. Transmission inspections, for instance, can reveal minor fluid leaks that, left unresolved, increase the risk of your engine overheating. A small crack in the corner of your windshield can spread until you need to replace the entire windshield. Routine car maintenance is an investment—the cost of maintenance and minor repairs is well worth paying to avoid more expensive repairs down the road.
Could Lengthen Your Vehicle’s Lifespan
Engine wear and tear is inevitable over time, whether you buy a new or used car. Preventive maintenance helps ensure your vehicle operates at its best by catching and resolving problems before they become serious. In addition to saving you money, routine car maintenance extends the working life of your vehicle. You just need to look at decades-old cars that continue running smoothly to see preventive maintenance’s impact. The difference between an unreliable beater and a smooth-running classic car often comes down to regular engine services and routine maintenance.
Provides Peace of Mind
Finally, preventive maintenance for cars gives drivers peace of mind. Regular car battery maintenance, for instance, reduces the risk of being stranded by the side of the road waiting for a jump-start. Routine car maintenance gives you confidence in your vehicle’s ability to perform without issue, so you can enjoy your drive without worrying if you’ll need to make a detour to a service center.
Looking for car maintenance services you can trust? Check the Grease Monkey location page to find a service center near you. Whether you need a multipoint oil change or car battery maintenance, we have the expertise to help keep your vehicle operating at peak performance!