Owning your own car opens up a world of opportunity, letting you get where you want when you want. Make sure you keep it running great with these four routine services that every car should have.
Brake Fluid Exchange
Brakes are an undeniably important part of your driving -and stopping- experience. Make sure they stay sharp and ready to use by having them inspected regularly. You should also have your brake fluid changed out every so often, generally every 30,000 miles or so. Small bits of debris and moisture can build up in your brake lines, potentially causing wear on valves or corrosion in brake lines. During an exchange, a technician will perform a brake system flush to clear out all the old fluid and any buildup, and then replace it with clean brake fluid so you are ready to go. And to stop.
Wheel Alignment
There are so many reasons that a wheel alignment benefits you and your car that it is easily one of the most important regular services you should be getting. Or, at the least, you should be having checked on your vehicle. A properly aligned vehicle will be more fuel-efficient and easier to control, steering will be smoother and your tires should last longer. Not to mention you may avoid potentially expensive repairs to your suspension. It doesn’t matter if you drive a gas, diesel, hybrid, or fully electric vehicle either.
If you notice your car pulling to one side of the road or the other or your tires wearing in uneven patterns, then you probably need a wheel alignment. When you have your alignment checked, a technician will look for tires that are not quite centered where they should be, and decide if they are enough out of place to warrant an adjustment.
Oil Change
This is one you probably know you need to have done regularly. Oil changes extend the life of your vehicle by keeping major moving parts lubricated. You should always check your owner’s manual for the right schedule for your vehicle, but you can generally assume you will need to change your engine oil between every 3,000 and 10,000 miles depending on the age of your car and type of oil you use.
Fuel System Cleaning
Your fuel system is the lifeblood and power source of your car. Gasoline has small bits of contaminants that can build up over time. Having the system cleaned regularly and replacing the filter as needed can help increase both fuel efficiency and the performance of your vehicle. It may also help extend the life of other fuel system components like the injectors and pump.
These routine maintenance tasks can help get you wherever you are going safely and more efficiently. No matter how old or new your car is, if you treat it well and keep it maintained it has the potential to last for many more miles.
