Is my air filter really that dirty? Can’t I just skip an oil change just once? Can’t it wait? These are questions that most
people have when it comes to doing routine or preventative maintenance. The truth is, sure, it can wait and you most likely won’t
see extreme damage immediately, but that doesn’t mean that damage is not being done every mile that the service is postponed. You
will incur higher costs down the road if you choose to delay your vehicle’s preventative maintenance because damage is still being
done to the components within your vehicle.
| Filters: |  |
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| Filters: | |
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Are items that keep your car running strong and efficient. Air, fuel, and transmission filters are the major ones
on any given vehicle. These are not time consuming or expensive items to have replaced, yet still people will
overlook staying on top of it. Not replacing these first two at the scheduled times will cause reduced fuel mileage,
as well as making the engine work harder. Not replacing the transmission filter will cause reduced fluid flow leading
to increased heat, as well as potentially allowing harmful deposits into the transmission. Either way you are losing
money by delaying performing these tasks.
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| Fluids: | |
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| Fluids: | |
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Are designed to protect many components within the engine, transmission, steering and brake systems. Keeping clean,
fresh fluids within these systems will prolong the life of every component within that particular system. Fluid flushes
are inexpensive and not time consuming. Wouldn’t it be better to spend an hour or two getting fluids flushed instead
of having a full day or two where you are without a vehicle? Not to mention the repair bill at the end of the
procedures.
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| Oil changes: | |
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| Oil changes: | |
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Are only $35-$60 and should be done every 3,000 miles on every single vehicle. The other flushes have varying
intervals depending on the car, so consult your owner’s manual or ask your trusted repair facility to find out
how often they should be done. These other fluid flushes range from about $100-$200 for any fluid, unless you drive
an import or relatively new vehicle requiring a special fluid, which may bump that up no more than another hundred.
Not bad considering a water pump, power steering pump, or other minor component can cost about $500-$800 to replace,
and an engine or transmission replacement which can cost $4000-$8000.
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| Finally: | |
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| Finally: | |
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To put it in perspective, the National Car Care Council, through a recent survey of cars at malls, schools, and businesses
around the country, found this information:
● 54% of vehicles had low tire tread
● 38% had low or dirty engine oil
● 28% had inadequate cooling/anti-freezing protection
● 19% had cracking belts
● 16% had dirty air filters
● 10% had low or dirty brake fluid
Stay on top of your maintenance and not only will your wallet stay fuller, but you and your family will stay safer.
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Stay on top of your maintenance and not only will your wallet stay fuller, but you and your family will stay safer.