Picking The Right Mechanic For Preventive Car Maintenance

If you own a car, it is very easy to ignore any type of preventive car maintenance.

But your vehicle is more than a means of transportation; it keeps you safe whenever you are on the road. 

And its protective shell around you and your entire family keeps you from road hazards or harm from the surrounding traffic during travel. 

Your automobile plays a crucial role in the way you travel. 

And if you neglect it or fail to carry out preventive measures or by leaving it in the hands of an uncertified mechanic, you could be in trouble.

Never ignore preventive maintenance. Checking the pressure in your tires, changing your engine oil, and getting inspections from time to time is like getting regular checkups at your favorite clinic. 

If you don’t skip your doctor’s appointment and go for regular checkups, you will always be in sound health. And any potential threat to your overall health will be nipped in the bud since it will be addressed immediately. 

The same holds for your vehicle. Not only will your car always be in pristine condition, but it will also save you thousands or down the road. 

You wouldn’t want to find yourself stranded, thousands of kilometers away from home, almost in the middle of nowhere, would you? 

Most drivers in this position never saw such an occurrence coming, but their mechanics would have if they had taken their vehicle in for preventive maintenance. 

Why Preventive Car Maintenance is Vital

A poorly maintained automobile could put you, your entire family, and even other road users at risk. 

But in case you are still not sure why you should go for preventive car maintenance, these reasons may convince you:

• Improve Fuel Mileage

When you take your vehicle for preventive maintenance, it helps to improve fuel mileage significantly. 

If you fail to change your car’s engine air filter or motor oil, it will negatively reflect your vehicle’s gas mileage. 

This will result in the wear and tear of your car engine. Professional mechanics highly recommend that you carry out a routine or scheduled oil change service every 3,000 miles to avoid this.

It is also vitally important that you opt for a full-suspension maintenance service after every 15,000 miles. This will enable your vehicle to achieve its optimal fuel efficiency.

• Prevent Severe Damage

Most of the severe car problems that affect transmission and engine are generally preventable via a regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance service. 

Therefore, check the car’s handbook or manual or visit a professional mechanic’s workshop in order to find out the precise preventive maintenance service your vehicle requires. 

You should also find out how often these preventive car maintenance services need to be undertaken.

Essential maintenance services such as fluid inspection and oil change will considerably extend your automobile’s lifespan and overall health.

• Stay Safe While You Save a Lot of Money

The truth is that it is incredibly cheaper to replace your timing belt after every 50,000 miles compared to having to rebuild your entire engine from scratch just because of a snapped belt. 

When you regularly inspect and clean your car battery each time you have an oil change service, it will go a long way by saving you from the overall danger of getting stranded because of a dead battery. 

All poorly maintained vehicles are very prone to cause accidents or road mishaps. 

These can be very costly and even pose a safety risk to you, your family, as well as other road users.

Signs My Car Needs Maintenance Done

Cars need regular maintenance to ensure that they run smoothly. Even if the check engine light isn’t on, make sure to address any issues that arise.

Slow braking could be caused by worn-out brakes.

A lack of acceleration could indicate that the gas tank needs to be checked.

Vibrating when starting, turning, or braking?

Check out the engine!

Is there a smell coming from the exhaust pipe?

Check out the catalytic converter! Do the tires seem low?

Get them checked!

Are the brakes working properly?

Check them out!

Has the gas tank been leaking?

Check it out!

Does shifting feel jerky?

Could it be a bad automatic transmission?

Take it to an auto repair shop and have it checked out!

You should contact a trusted mechanic at your nearby auto dealer if your car doesn’t perform as expected. When the car starts acting weird, tell the mechanic about what you’re feeling and hearing.

Factors You Should Consider When Looking for the Right Mechanic for Car Maintenance

Choosing the right mechanic that will handle all preventive maintenance on your vehicle is highly crucial. 

This is why you should pay close attention to the following factors to watch out for when searching for the best mechanic for preventive car maintenance:

• Certification and License

The first thing you need to watch out for when searching for the right mechanic for preventive car maintenance is license and certification. You need a certified or licensed mechanic to work on your vehicle.

Working with an unlicensed mechanic will not only void your warranty but can also create other problems much later. 

Therefore, ask for the mechanic’s credentials when you finally find one and before handing your vehicle over to the automobile mechanic.

Inquire to know precisely how long the mechanic has been in business, the technical schools they attended, who trained them, when was the certification, are they even certified, etc. 

• Price Check

This factor shouldn’t come up now, but it must be mentioned because it is highly crucial. There is usually an industry standard for the numerous types of mechanical repairs. 

However, a few services come in a wide range of prices from one mechanic to another. 

Therefore, do not be afraid to actively search and compare options before choosing a mechanic. And don’t settle for the first quote you are presented with.

Of course, it makes sense to go with the lowest bidder, especially if it is over a high-quality workshop. But then, you should not sacrifice the price for the quality of repair services you will get. 

Some mechanics are only focused on providing customers with outstanding or unique repair services. 

So, you may be lucky enough to come across an affordable mechanic that provides excellent preventive car maintenance services. 

Go for a mechanic that will get your vehicle in tiptop shape without you breaking the bank. 

If the mechanic’s goal is to leave you highly satisfied with the amount of money you will pay for preventive car maintenance, then you’ve just landed the right mechanic for you.

• Is Anybody Saying Anything Good About Them?

Word-of-mouth advertising is the best way to advertise businesses, products, and services. It is a method of advertising that is still valid even today, despite the arrival of the internet, business logos, advertising agencies, etc. 

Nevertheless, the internet has made it very easy to learn what others say about one service provider or the other. 

Before you commit to a specific mechanic, go online and check their websites or forums. Unsatisfied clients will always air their grievances online, and you can readily learn whether a particular mechanic’s services are worth it or not.

Pay close attention to what other car owners are saying about that mechanic. Ask for references from car owners that carry out preventive maintenance from time to time. 

They will direct you to the best mechanic that can provide maintenance services. 

• Meet the Staff Face-to-Face

Booking appointments with a mechanic these days is straightforward as you can do it online or over the phone. Some individuals even leave their automobiles at a mechanic’s workshop without even speaking to someone who will see to its overall maintenance. 

This is not a good practice that should be encouraged or promoted.

The best way to ensure your car is left in the best hands is to stop by the garage or workshop in person. 

Talk to the staff face-to-face so that you can share any issues your automobile may be displaying. 

Talking to the staff at the mechanic workshop will also give you a feel of the team’s competence and authenticity. 

You need a mechanic that will put in high-quality work and lots of dedication that guarantees a safe automobile when they are finished. 

Car Preventive Maintenance Checklist

The following are the preventive maintenance measures your mechanic will undertake when you take your vehicle in: 

• Transmission Checkup

According to car experts, the most expensive vehicle component is the transmission, especially when it comes to repairs. Without your transmission, your car engine will be unable to readily transmit the power it generates to the wheels in order to get the vehicle in motion. 

But you can avoid all car transmission-related issues by taking your car for checkups regularly. This includes having a fluid flush when required. 

• Regular Oil Change

A regular oil change is considered the #1 maintenance service any automobile gets from the manufacturer. This service is usually carried out as soon as your new vehicle clocks up to 500 miles. 

During this break-in period, most of the engine’s components start coming together. From time to time, tiny pieces of metal break off and then mix with your car’s engine oil. 

When you go for an oil change service, every debris will be flushed out, thereby keeping your car engine super-healthy and always working optimally.

• Belt Change

For your vehicle to run smoothly, it needs several belts – including the drive belt, fan belt, timing belt, as well as power steering belt. 

These belts tend to wear off after extensive use, and if you ignore them by not going for preventive maintenance, they could snap suddenly in unexpected places. 

This could lead to catastrophic and severe damage to your car engine.

A timing belt service is a must after every 60,000 miles. Therefore, consider taking your car for preventive maintenance when the belts are about to clock that number of miles.

• Battery Maintenance/Replacement

Your car engine will never be unable to crank or start without a battery. 

The lifespan of car batteries varies, depending primarily on the brand. But it generally ranges from one to two years.

However, you don’t even have to wait for your battery to fail woefully before getting a brand-new one. 

• Brake/Tire Inspection Service

Most accidents that occur on the highways are traced to faulty brakes. This shows how crucial excellent functioning brakes are to your car and safety. 

One rule of thumb that every car owner must adhere to is to check your suspension system and brakes each time you carry out an oil change service.

If you have worn out tires, your brakes won’t be of much help. And it will also be challenging for you to control your car when driving on a wet road. 

This is why it is highly critical that you carry out a tire rotation service every 3,000 miles in order to help even out the overall effects of wear and tear.

Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoother For Longer

There are many things that you can do to keep your car running smoother for longer. Here are some tips:

• Check your air filter regularly. If there’s dirt, dust, or other particles stuck inside, it can cause serious problems. It may even clog the engine intake causing poor performance.
• Keep your windshield clean. Dirt and grime build up on your windshield over time, which makes it hard to see and increases the risk of an accident.
• Check your headlights. Make sure they’re working properly. They should shine brightly enough to light up the road ahead of you.
• Change your oil and oil filters. Oil helps lubricate parts of your engine, while the oil filter removes impurities from the oil. Changing both of these items once a month will ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly.
• Change your spark plugs. Spark plugs ignite fuel and oxygen in the combustion chamber, creating heat and pressure. When this process is done correctly, it creates a controlled explosion that produces power. If your spark plug isn’t firing, it could mean that something is wrong with your ignition coil or distributor.
• Check your coolant level. Coolant keeps your engine from overheating and becoming damaged. Check your coolant reservoir levels every few months.
• Change your brake pads and rotors. Brakes work best when they aren’t rubbing against metal surfaces. Over time, the friction causes them to deteriorate, making them less effective.
• Change your wiper blades. Wipers use rubber blades to clear rainwater off your windscreen. As they get older, they become brittle and lose their ability to wipe away water. Replace them as soon as possible.
• Clean your windows. Cleaning your windows will remove smudges, dirt, and bugs from your glass. This will make it easier to see what’s going on around you.
• Clean your mirrors. Mirrors reflect light, so cleaning them will improve visibility.
• Check your lights. Lights illuminate the road ahead of you, helping you to avoid accidents. Make sure all bulbs are working properly.
• Check your tires. Tires are important because they provide traction and stability. Make sure they have plenty of treads left, and rotate them every three years.
• Get a tune-up. A proper tune-up will check everything in your engine, including your brakes, suspension, steering system, transmission, and more.
• Get regular maintenance. Regular maintenance ensures that your car operates safely and efficiently. It also extends its life by preventing major repairs down the line.

As you can see, picking the right mechanic for preventive car maintenance is not rocket science. However, you need to carry out your due diligence. Ask for recommendations, and meet the staff in person.

Confirm that the mechanic has a license and is certified by professional bodies. Compare prices but do not sacrifice quality for anything. 

When you do these, you will end up with a good mechanic that will help you carry out preventive car maintenance services at an affordable price.