The idea behind maintenance is to avoid large scale repairs. This means that you need to stay consistent with routine check-ups and evaluate minor problems before they become major hassles. This can be done easily with a maintenance calendar or another system that alerts you about the need to go in for a check-up. It’s important to first look at the benefits of a maintenance in order to stay committed to a plan that works for you.
- Save money. When you look at the long-term benefits of maintenance programs, one of the biggest is the money you can save. At first may seem counter-intuitive because you will need to invest some money in performing maintenance, but overall the money you will save will be worth it. Rather than a large repair that will cost a lot of money, you will pay a small amount over time.
- Best performance. Your vehicle will last longer and work better when you routinely get it checked for possible problems and address those problems. You will also drive more confidently because you will know that everything is in order.
- Better re-sale value. If you want to sell your vehicle down the road, you’ll be more likely to draw top dollar if you have maintained a regular schedule of routine check-ups and assessments. In this regard, be sure to keep a detailed record of all appointments and repairs. It will be a valuable resource for the next owner – not to mention a great “value add” you can use to justify your price.
Obviously no matter what car you drive you need to follow a maintenance schedule, but with some cars – and with some purposes – you may need to follow a more rigorous schedule. For instance, if you drive a truck for a landscape company and put hundreds of miles on it per week, your appointments at the garage should happen more frequently than those who drive a car to work and back and nothing else. If you drive in a lot of stop-and-go city traffic, you’ll want to follow a maintenance schedule with a higher frequency. Most manufacturers have a “severe duty” schedule printed in the owner’s manual that you may want to follow depending on how you drive.
Also, in the instance of the truck, do not forget that in the case of a needed repair you can often purchase used and new commercial truck parts at a less expensive price than what a dealership will offer. Check with your local mechanics or even the local classifieds to be sure you’re getting the best economical value.
Your car or truck is a big investment, and one of the smartest things you can do to maintain its’ value is to complete quality maintenance check-ups on a consistent basis. Your car will drive better, and you’ll drive more confidently.
