This question is actually quite common, considering the answer to it can vary. How often do we want to get our car serviced? Turns out there are a few factors that go into answering this.
Check Your Owners Manual
Every manufacturer may have different recommendations, so one of the first places to look is your owners manual. If you bought from a dealership, talk to them as well to see what they advise.
How many miles do you drive?
If you are a frequent driver, constantly driving back and forth from one activity to another, you will need to have your car serviced more frequently. A person who isn’t out on the road everyday may only need to service their vehicle once a year. However, if you’re like me and constantly on the go, some manufacturers recommend a service every 6 months or 6,000 miles. Remember, getting your car serviced does not just mean an oil change. This also includes tire rotations, brake inspections, fluid checks, etc. All things that are important for the day to day operation and safety of your vehicle.
General Maintenance
Your car’s service appointment is much like your annual doctors appointments. Your doctors appointments just check in to make sure you’re in tip top shape. When you service your car, all the checks that are performed at the same time give you an indication as to what is going on with your vehicle. If everything is in great condition, that’s perfect! However, if they notice things like balding tires, low fluids that shouldn’t be low, unusual brake wear, etc. this can give you a heads up that something isn’t right with your car. This gives you a chance to fix it before something happens while you’re out driving on the road. Even if you don’t take your car to service with a repair shop or service center, be sure to perform maintenance checks yourself just to be safe.
It’s easy to take our vehicle for granted, however your and your family’s safety is important when you spend a lot of time in the car. By keeping up with your general maintenance you can have peace of mind that your vehicle is running well and in great shape, or you’ll get a heads up if something needs to be fixed. It’s also important to remember that the upkeep of your vehicle has an effect on its resale value. If you plan to sell the car in the future, potential buyers may ask to see service/maintenance records for proof that the vehicle was maintained properly. This shows that you took care of your vehicle and could even give a slight boost to the value of your vehicle in the eyes of a buyer. Your car will thank you!
