Benjamin Franklin was a practical man who understood human nature when he said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Franklin’s wisdom could apply to almost anything we do in our daily lives, including how disciplined and proactive we are about our vehicle’s health. Most drivers neglect basic aspects of their vehicles but there are three important items that we should never neglect when it comes to vehicle maintenance.
In this month’s blog, we highlight three things you should never neglect in your vehicle. If you want to avoid compounding problems, possible engine or vehicle damage, and higher repair costs, then make sure to keep track of these three critical things.
Tire Health
We will address your tire health first since neglect of your tire health is a serious safety concern. The basic component of tire health is making sure that your tires are properly inflated according to manufacturer specs. Tires may naturally lose some air pressure, or they can be an early sign of a leak or even worn treads. The second component of your tire’s health is the tread wear. Tires wear down, without a doubt. But that wear should be even and when we neglect the tread, the traction and safety of the tire is greatly diminished. Periodically checking the depth of your tire treads can help you spot wear in uneven places, and indicate other problems with alignment, or even brakes.
Motor Oil
Most drivers understand the importance of motor oil for their engines. Oil is the lifeblood to help regulate your engine’s temperature, provide lubrication for moving parts, and of course, keep engine components free of dirt and debris. Many vehicle owners neglect their oil until the warning light is illuminated on the dash, and that may be too late.
If you don’t keep your oil levels where they need to be, or even worse, never replace your dirty oil with clean, you are putting your engine in severe jeopardy. Fluctuating oil levels can be an early sign of a small leak that can lead to a large one. If your engine components do not have the proper amount of oil, they will begin to rub and overheat and eventually the engine will seize up. This is not where you want your neglect to lead when the cost of an oil change is typically about $25-30 and an engine replacement may be thousands!
Along with the oil, it never hurts to periodically check your other vital fluids – steering, coolant, transmission, and brake fluid. These fluids should always be maintained at proper levels as well to do their job in support of various vehicle systems.
Strange Noises, Smells, Touch, or Sights
When it comes to your body’s health, you typically call the doctor when you start to notice symptoms that are not a normal part of your body function. Your vehicle sends you a variety of symptoms for the same reasons, to tell you that something is wrong or developing into a problem.
It is helpful to use your senses when driving your vehicle – sight, smell, hearing, and touch. We all know when something doesn’t seem right with the vehicle because we hear excessive squeaking when we make turns, or we continuously see smoke coming from the hood after driving for a while. Perhaps the steering wheel shudders when you reach a higher speed or turn, or the exhaust system emits a dark smoke that has a terrible smell. All of these “symptoms” are early detection warnings to do something. Take note of them, when they happen, what you are experiencing, and bring them to the attention of a service professional.
Proactive is Your Best Approach
Benjamin Franklin’s advice was simple – if you can take care of something now, do it. Being proactive about your vehicle’s health can save you a lot of stress and money in the long run. Don’t neglect your vehicle or you may create a bigger problem that is not necessary.
If you have any concerns about your vehicle’s health, or want to consider a regular maintenance plan, give the service professionals a call at Geller’s Automotive. We will help you identify a plan that can fit your budget and also help keep your vehicle free of neglect.
