Why you should follow your Vehicle's Maintenance Schedule

When it comes to servicing your vehicle, sometimes it feels like time flies. It can seem tedious to take your car in for service and maintenance when it doesn’t seem like anything is even wrong, so why bother? Besides keeping your warranty in good standing, scheduled maintenance catches issues before they become problems and keeps your vehicle on the road for years to come.

Warranty … Obviously

Manufacturers create a maintenance schedule for a reason: to keep your car running in good condition. If you fail to meet their recommendations, in their eyes, you are not taking proper care of your vehicle. If your service history does not meet or exceed the minimum recommended maintenance requirements, the manufacturer has the right to deny your warranty claims. If this happens, it can make for a costly repair that you are forced to pay out-of-pocket. Regular oil changes, filter changes and tune-ups may seems like an expense you can avoid, but it could save you money in the long run.
 

Remember Resale

While you may think you’re going to drive your new vehicle until it doesn’t drive anymore, you never know what curve ball life is going to throw your way. Who knows when you’ll have to say goodbye to your old vehicle and hello to a new one, so keep resale in mind.
While it’s true that all vehicles are constantly depreciating in value, recommended maintenance does its part in raising the resale value of your vehicle. Whether selling privately or to a dealership, completing maintenance and keeping the proof of said service is a great selling feature. Private buyers appreciate pride of ownership when they purchase a used vehicle and dealerships love clean service records too (it helps ensure the certified used vehicle status). People will pay more for a vehicle that is well taken care of.
 

What does regular maintenance include?

Regular maintenance includes (but is not limited to):

• Top off fluids
• Change oil
• Inspection of brake pads, linings, axles, suspension, steering, belts, etc.
• Tire rotation
• Replacement of filters
• Replace fluids and coolant as needed

Your owner’s manual will light the way about what needs to be done and when and your service team is a wealth of knowledge. If you’re ever wondering if its time for some service or why it needs to happen, just ask!