Maintenance Service Guide

Why should you service your car? After all, your friend never seems to bother to change oil or check tire pressure, and his car is fine. Well, it may be fine for now, but sooner than later his car will be trashed because it's too expensive to fix. Don't let that happen to you. It's easy to become complacent and not have your car checked, especially once you learn all it's tricks. You know all you have to do when it won't start right away is jiggle the key in just such a way, etc. It's relatively easy to take care of your car if done on a schedule. Maintenance visits should occur every three to four months. One good way to remember is by the change of seasons. Not every thing needs to be done each time you visit your mechanic, for instance, most cars only need a factory scheduled service twice a year, and regular maintenance will alleviate the need for you to wonder whether you're "tuned-up" all right. Following a factory maintenance schedule is generally recommended, but the same schedule is put on each car sold from Ypsilanti to Walla Walla. That means climate and the way each individual owner drives is not taken into account. Are you a stop and start driver? Or are your miles long commutes on the highway? Either way, you'll personalize your maintenance schedule somewhat. Follow a factory maintenance schedule exactly as recommended if you are leasing, or if you anticipate having any problems with your warranty. It's a lot easier to prove your case if you can show you've done exactly what was recommended. Here's a general guide for what to do and when if you are not using a factory schedule:

• Get a lubrication, oil and oil filter change, rotate tires, check brakes, and a complete safety check
• Oil and oil filter change
• Get a lubrication, oil and oil filter change, rotate tires, check brakes, and transmission check, clean air filter, and a complete safety check
• Oil and oil filter change
• Get a lubrication, oil and oil filter change, rotate tires, check brakes, and a complete safety check
• Oil and oil filter change
• Get a lubrication, oil and oil filter change, rotate tires, check brakes, replace air filter, sparkplugs, adjust valves (unless hydraulic) check timing, flush brake fluid, change transmission fluid, cooling system flush, and a complete safety check

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