What Essential Maintenance Does Your Vehicle Need?

Are you ready for the summer—or any other season, for that matter? Don’t get caught without essential vehicle maintenance/services which can make days without a working A/C in your car unbearable. Check out this extensive list for general maintenance, long-term maintenance, and seasonal maintenance to keep in mind the next time you are at the service center. Think of it as a doctor’s check-up but for your car. Visit the Ford service center near Marietta at Jim Ellis Ford for the comprehensive care your car needs and the friendly service you deserve. Keeping your vehicle well-maintained is crucial to its longevity, and our team would be happy to assist you with whatever service you may need.

Regular Vehicle Maintenance That All Drivers Should Remember

It may seem like an entire list of constants that your vehicle requires throughout the year. However, we are here to simplify those check-up lists for your convenience. It is important to keep a car healthy; after all, without a simple oil change, it can keep you from getting where you need to go and completely ruin your car’s performance—because without an oil change, your vehicle will not function at all. There are many other things that you may need to ensure get done before going on that weekend getaway to Six Flags White Water. These essential vehicle maintenance requirements will keep your vehicle running beautifully for many years and miles to come.

Routine Interior/Exterior Cleaning

The first on our vehicle maintenance checklist may seem simple, but when done right, it can make your car feel brand new. Before checking under the hood, check the insides and outside of your vehicle. Not only does cleaning your car become essential for keeping good health for yourself, but it can also keep your resale value up, as it is one of the things that is checked for when selling or trading in.

From vacuuming to organizing to waxing, your vehicle can sparkle on the road. Waxing your car can benefit its appearance and ensure the paint does not rust or deteriorate. Waxing can add a new layer and provide a guard against harmful factors you may not think about, like dust, pebbles, ultraviolet light, and more. Vacuuming can help keep your interiors looking good and keep the dust to a minimum. Giving your car a wash can prevent blind spots (literally) with gunk on mirrors or other.

Oil and Filter Changes

A car’s oil keeps the engine cool, helps clear debris, and reduces engine corrosion. It also keeps a car’s vital parts happy and healthy, improving the lifespan of your vehicle. Think of it as the lifeblood of your vehicle— a heart needs blood to pump, and the blood needs the heart to run. So, the next time you notice the mileage is getting close or it has been about 6,000 miles it is best to take it in to be changed.

You can always double-check by looking at that convenient sticker they use as a reminder and providing you with the right time to come in and get it changed. Another routine maintenance benefit is getting an air filter change to improve fuel economy, keep debris to a minimum, and extend engine life. This relatively easy solution can also be done at home, so don’t wait to improve your car’s health.

Tire Rotation, Pressure, and Tread Depth

Getting your tires rotated can keep you safe on the road. While it may not seem like a big deal, the wheels are what’s keeping you upright in your car. Foregoing tire rotations or not fixing low tire pressure can lead to unsafe conditions and cause wear on your tires (and we all know those don’t come cheap). If you notice wear on your tires and the tread depth is shallow, then you may be due for tire replacements. Without good tread, you leave yourself open to an array of unsafe conditions, like the possibility of a blow-out and loss of traction, and can cause you to hydroplane.

Lights, Camera, Action

This one may seem self-explanatory, but ensuring your lights are working can be the difference between great visibility and no visibility and can even get you pulled over. For this, we suggest you occasionally check to ensure your lights are working properly. This includes the headlights, brake lights, parking lights, and signal lights. Lights are crucial not only for visibility but also for showing other drivers around you when you’re reversing, stopping, or turning. They are a way to communicate with other cars so that the other drivers know how to react to your sudden change in speed or direction.

Seasonal Maintenance

No matter if the summer heat is blaring down on you or the autumn leaves are crunching underneath your all-terrain tires, these are some seasonal maintenance items you may want to keep in mind. First and foremost, check your tire pressure. Going from hot to cold can lessen the pressure very quickly. You’ll also want to check your windshield wipers in case you’re headed into the rainy season. It is crucial to have working wipers to give excellent visibility at this time.

Check your battery and ensure it doesn’t need replacing because no one wants to be stuck on the side of the road or left to stay at home because your car won’t start. Following this, you’ll also want to check your coolant levels to ensure nothing freezes your engine or radiator. You can easily have these checked at our professional service center or simply make a mobile service request to get everything checked out right from the comfort of your home.

Long-Term Maintenance

Get these long-term maintenance services so you won’t miss out on going to the Marietta History Center or the World of Illumination Festival. These do not have to be done routinely or constantly checked; however, it is important to get them done when the time arrives. This includes services like transmission fluid replacement, coolant fluid exchange, and other concerns like checking the shocks, struts, and spark plugs. All of these parts help make your car run, keep you safe, and provide a healthy inside for your vehicle. This way, you’ll stay out of the service center and get back on the road where you belong.

Stay on Top of Your Vehicle’s Necessary Maintenance

No one wants their plans interrupted by sudden vehicle issues, which is why being proactive with maintenance will ensure your vehicle stays on the road without the looming threat of complications like flat tires and dead batteries getting in the way of your commute or weekend plans. With our dedicated service center here at Jim Ellis Ford, our expertly-trained technicians will work closely with you to create a comprehensive service schedule so you can stay on top of all the necessary maintenance to keep your vehicle healthy. Of course, we’ll always be here for you should the unexpected happen. Whether you need brake repair or you hear a funny noise coming from your engine, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle over to us for help. You can count on us to help keep your vehicle running great.