Let’s face it, car maintenance is a boring and expensive process. However, from our experience, we can tell you that regular vehicle servicing and maintenance are very important for every car owner. Many of the owners have a bad habit of delaying regular maintenance, so these small tasks turn into very costly repairs.
Understanding the importance of regular vehicle maintenance is crucial for you as a car owner.
This is why in this article, we cover all of the pros when it comes to maintenance and we will also share some vehicle maintenance tips. So, let’s get started!
Why Regular Vehicle Maintenance Is Essential
Boosts Safety and Prevents Breakdowns
When it comes to cars, you should prioritize one thing and that is safety. If you want to feel safe on the road, you must do diligent vehicle maintenance.
By doing regular maintenance you can ensure that all of the critical components, such as the engine, tires, brakes, and lights are in proper working order.
For example, worn-out pads and rotors can affect the stopping distance of a car. But not only that, worn-out pads affect the stopping distance but also increase the chance of a tire bursting into pieces and leaving you in a potentially dangerous situation on the road.
Saves Money on Repairs
Regular maintenance of vehicles will not only boost safety but also save you a bunch of money in the long run.
Maintenance at first glance might seem an expensive thing to do. For example, changing the oil and filters regularly. But this means that your engine will be healthier in the long run.
If you don’t follow the recommended vehicle maintenance schedules, you will end up with a blown engine and pay thousands of dollars for a new engine. This is something that you don’t want!
Improves Fuel Efficiency
Everyone wants to save money on gas, so by doing regular vehicle servicing and maintenance, you will also improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.
A car works best when you have a new air filter, new oil, new spark plugs, and clean fuel injectors. If these worn-out components are not replaced, the car will consume more fuel and you will have more frequent visits to the gas pump.
This further accentuates the importance of regular vehicle maintenance. With proper maintenance you save more in the long run overall.
Key Maintenance Tasks That Matter
Now let’s cover the types of vehicle maintenance and key tasks that you should do when owning a vehicle.
Oil and Filter Changes
What an engine loves the most is clean oil and filters. Without proper lubrication, the engine lifespan can quickly be cut in half.
Especially when it comes to BMW and Mercedes-Benz models that require strictly following the recommended vehicle maintenance intervals and most importantly using high-quality full synthetic oil.
By doing regular oil changes, you will prevent sludge buildup in the engine. This will result in less heat and friction created, resulting in a longer lifespan of the engine in general. This is why we can confidently tell you that this is the most critical service that you need to do when owning a car.
Brake Inspection and Servicing
A car needs to go fast but also needs to come to a stop safely. Modern cars like Audi models have special brake wear sensors that tell you when you need to replace the pads and rotors.
Also, Ford has a similar system that gives you an indication when you need to do maintenance on your brakes.
But as an owner, you also need to be able to check the brakes by yourself. Especially brake pad wear is visible in how much meat the pad has left. In general regular vehicle maintenance when it comes to the brakes is crucial if you want to stop the car!
Tire Rotation and Alignment
Safe driving also requires tire maintenance. By rotating and doing tire alignment, you will be able to distribute the wear evenly.
If you don’t do an alignment, especially in AWD models like the Audi Quattro or BMW xDrive, you will have uneven wear that can greatly affect the handling and cause vibrations in the cabin.
Battery and Electrical System Checks
Your car also needs to start the engine. Without a good battery, you can be left stranded in the middle of nowhere. Especially in high-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and BMW that often rely on complex electronics and can’t operate with weak batteries.
So, when it comes to vehicle maintenance tips, we must note that checking out the health of the battery, condition of the terminals and wiring can prevent unexpected no-start issues.
Coolant and Transmission Fluid Service
When an engine is extensively overloaded like in a Ford F-150 truck, for example, the engine needs a proper cooling performance.
Replacing the coolant every year or every two years is essential if you want to have your cooling system in proper working order.
Also, transmission fluid is crucial when it comes to automatic transmissions. Flushing the old fluid at the recommended vehicle maintenance interval is a must if you want to extend the life of the transmission.
Air Filter and Cabin Filter Replacement
An engine needs to breathe clean air in order to have a peak working performance. In the intake, there is a filter that after many miles, becomes clogged up with dust. Following the regular vehicle maintenance interval and replacing this filter will basically rejuvenate your engine and will make it breathe better.
Inside the cabin, you also have a filter but this one is for your nose. If you want to breathe clean air while your AC is cranked on cold during the hot summer days, replacing the cabin air filter is essential.
Brand-Specific Tips for Longevity
BMW
If you are a BMW owner, you need to follow the Condition-Based Service (CBS) system. This special system alerts you when the service is due. Regular oil and coolant replacements are critical for modern BMW turbo engines. If you neglect the warnings on the dash and avoid vehicle servicing and maintenance, it can lead to higher repair costs down the line.
Audi
Audi is a brand that is very known for its Quattro AWD system. This system performs best when you do regular brake and tire maintenance. If you delay the maintenance of your Audi, it will result in handling problems, something that you definitely don’t want to experience. So, following the vehicle maintenance tips specific to Audi, you will drive safer and also boost the longevity of your Audi!
Ford
Ford trucks and SUVs are known for their reliability under heavy loads. If you as an owner want to keep the vehicle in proper working order, sticking to the recommended vehicle maintenance schedules will ensure that you keep the reliability in check!
Mercedes-Benz
Just like BMW, Mercedes-Benz also has its own system. As they call it, Flexible Service System (FSS). This system reminds you when your service is due. Paying close attention to the warning messages on the dash and doing the essential vehicle servicing and maintenance procedures is a must. Remember that these vehicles are quite complex and often require following the official Mercedes-Benz procedures.
General Tip
In general, you as an owner should always refer to the factory service manual. You need to follow the vehicle maintenance tips produced by the manufacturer.
Learn the service intervals and follow them diligently. If not, you will shorten your car’s lifespan. The repairs will often be so high that in many cases surpass the overall value of the car on the used market. If you want to avoid that, maintenance is key!
Final Thoughts
Now let’s sum things up! Understanding the importance of regular vehicle maintenance will help you keep your car in proper working order and also make your car far safer.
Whether you are driving a BMW, Audi, Ford, or a Mercedes, by following the vehicle maintenance tips written in the service manual, you will be able to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance is a smart investment, skipping vehicle servicing and maintenance will lead to higher expenses down the line. So, if you want to keep your vehicle reliable and safe, don’t cheap out on maintenance!