Vehicle maintenance isn’t an option; it’s a necessity. A talk

Owning a car is great. It offers you the freedom to go wherever you need to, whenever you want. But it comes with a whole truckload of responsibilities. Taking care of your vehicle is just as important as knowing how to drive safely.

Don’t believe me?

Here are some of the reasons why vehicle maintenance is a necessity.

Extends the Life of Your Vehicle

You’ve just spent a substantial sum of money on buying your very own automobile. And you’re going to need it daily to get from place to place. 

Even though dealers like Hippo Prestige Cars make sure you only purchase well-maintained models, you will need to take care of it regularly. Otherwise, as an investment, the value of your automobile can significantly depreciate without frequent maintenance. Providing preventive car care helps to reduce the wear and tear that every car undergoes. 

Enhances Performance

It can dramatically extend the life of the engine and other components. To sustain your car’s value and keep it running smoothly, schedule routine checkups to keep your set of wheels up. 

Not only will you be able to avoid breakdowns, but you can also circumvent costly repairs to the cooling system, transmission system, drivetrain, etc. Moreover, your car will exhibit optimal performance. 

Increases Safety on the Road

Your safety and your family’s safety is of utmost importance. While poor driving habits is one of the common reasons for thousands of traffic accidents, many occur simply due to the fact that people neglect regular vehicle maintenance. The following are some reasons why:

• Faulty brakes or other issues such as worn out brake pads generally arise when a driver doesn’t regularly service the brakes or change the brake pads.
• Driving a car that has bald tires increases the risk of a sudden blowout or losing control of the vehicle.
• Driving without headlights at night is dangerous. Dimming lights are a sign that you need new ones. 
• A cracked windshield can obstruct your vision. Delaying to replace it can only make matters worse.

But above all, you do not want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere or on a quiet road at night. To avoid putting yourself or your family at unnecessary risks, maintain your car regularly.

Increases reliability and dependability

Because of our busy lifestyles, we need a vehicle that is reliable and dependable. It should start without stalling and drive effortlessly. 

You can’t afford to be late for work or a doctor’s appointment. The last thing we need is to add stress to our already stressful lives. So yes, a well-maintained vehicle is less likely to breakdown or cause problems. Go the extra mile to make your automobile reliable.

Avoid Unexpected Repairs

Used cars often require a bit of TLC. Regular maintenance helps prevent expensive, unwanted problems from surfacing. 

Taking a few minutes to check under the hood, such as the level of coolant in the radiator and the level of engine oil, should always keep the car running smoothly.

Moreover, vehicle maintenance helps keep significant issues at bay. You can enjoy driving your car for longer and with a better overall experience.

Reduces the Cost of Repairs

It’s normal for automobiles to undergo a fair amount of wear and tear. Regular maintenance helps to highlight small problems before they have a chance to grow into big ones. 

Moreover, routine maintenance or minor replacements won’t cost as much unexpected, full-blown repairs. So paying attention to early warning signs can help keep the price tag of repairs down. 

And in the long run, this attitude towards checking up on the performance of your car can significantly extend the longevity of the engine and other essential components.

Improves Petrol Economy

Various aspects of your car influence the amount of fuel it consumes. And with rising gas prices, improving fuel economy is a great way to save money. 

A well-maintained vehicle can give you 4% to 40% more gas mileage. So it’s evident that a comprehensive maintenance plan can keep your automobile running more efficiently.

Few things to consider are:

• Motor Oil Type- The job of oil is to reduce friction in the engine. It can make a 12% difference in the gas mileage. A synthetic friction-reducing one can boost the petrol average.
• Fuel Injector- This controls how much gas goes into the engine. A leak reduces the amount of fuel that reaches the engine, compromising its efficiency.
• Tires- Keeping the tires properly inflated can improve the gas mileage by 0.6% to 3%. Studies show that under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by almost 0.2% for every 1 psi drop.
• Wheel Alignment- When wheels are not aligned correctly, not only does it damage the tires, but the pull against the motion of the vehicle adds a strain on the gas mileage.
• Air filters- A clogged air filter can negatively affect engine performance and fuel usage. Changing the air filter can potentially increase acceleration by 6 – 11% on modern fuel-injected cars, and almost a 10% increase in gas mileage. 
• Spark Plugs- Bad spark plugs can decrease fuel economy by up to 30%.

Contributes to a Cleaner Environment

This is your opportunity to protect the environment because saving petrol is more than just saving money at the end of the day. 

By using less fossil fuel, you release fewer gasses into the air. Moreover, a well-maintained automobile produces less harmful fumes that can potentially pollute the air and water. 

Spring is right around the corner. For a head’s up on how to prepare your car for the next season, read 7 Key Tips for Spring Car Maintenance.

Slows Down the Depreciation

Every new vehicle will depreciate in value. But how you take care of it can significantly influence how quickly the value drops. Sticking to regular vehicle maintenance not only makes it dependable, but it slows down the depreciation value of the car.

Fetches a Higher Resale Price

Should you choose to sell your automobile, later on, a well-looked after car will be worth more than a dirty, rundown one. 

More importantly, a maintained car is less likely to undergo any major repairs. No one wants to purchase a vehicle that requires extensive work. And often, buyers ask to see the vehicle’s history of service. So holding onto maintenance receipts is a good idea.

Final thoughts

A car is more or less, just like a member of your family. You need to take care of it so that it can be of use to you. 

While maintaining a vehicle regularly may seem expensive, and at times you may be tempted to skip some of them, these slip-ups can end up costing you thousands instead of mere hundreds.

But above all, it’s not the car that is important- it’s you and your more valuable family members. So don’t put yourself or anyone else’s life in danger. As an essential component of our daily lives, you have no choice but to ensure that your automobile is always safe to drive.

So yes, vehicle maintenance is not an option- it’s a necessity.