What Should I Do?
"What should I do? I just brought my car in for an oil change and now I'm told that my car needs several other things. How am I supposed to know if I really need these repairs and additional maintenance?
Questions like this are frequently asked after vehicle service. Much like a medical doctor during a routine physical, the automotive technician calling attention to a condition that can put you at risk, is doing what he is supposed to do. So while it's good to be a conscientious consumer, when it comes to your safety on the road, a trustworthy inspection of your vehicle by a professional technician is best.
To know the importance of recommendations made, you may want to personally inspect the car with your Service Advisor. Other options may be looking at digital pictures of needed repairs or consulting your vehicle's owners manual about maintenance. And of course your Service Advisor can explain the benefits of any needed work so that you can make decisions that are right for you.
At Pella Car Care we believe it is our professional obligation to inspect vehicles carefully. We can then inform and educate our customers about any repair and maintenance needs, with the ultimate goal being many miles of worry free driving. We are here to help you save money on the overall cost of vehicle ownership with the most convenient and hassle-free service.
How to Get Over 200,000 Miles Out of Your Vehicle
- Buy a safe, reliable car. Pick a car with a good track record and then have a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent automotive shop. Many times a pre-purchase inspection can help avoid a poor choice or at least offer an estimate of repairs and maintenance needed in the near future. There are no perfect used cars on the dealer's lots and the cost of an inspection is easily recovered by using the results to negotiate a price.
- Make repairs promptly. The most important thing in keeping a vehicle performing properly is to make necessary repairs promptly. Postponing needed repairs often costs more. For example, ignoring a fluid leak can lead to a low fluid level causing premature wear on expensive mechanical components or preventable breakdowns.
- Do regular inspections. Problems can arise at any time and for inexplicable reasons. Whether you do it yourself or rely on your repair shop, exterior, under hood and under vehicle visual inspections can prevent roadside emergencies
- Follow your maintenance schedule. The vehicle owner's manual is your first source for maintenance information. Recommended fluid changes, inspections and part replacements such as sparkplugs and timing belts can be found there. Wide variations in mileage intervals are often found so good judgement should be used to determine what intervals are best for your driving habits.
- Keep it clean. Get out the cleaning products periodically or have your vehicle professionally detailed. Regular cleaning inside and out can make the car a more pleasant place to be as you roll up the miles. Washing and waxing can help preserve the paint and keep the sheet metal from rusting. Vacuuming sand and dirt out of the carpet and seats can minimize wear that leads tears and holes.
The recommendations above come from a combination of sources including our real world experience at Pella Car Care. We see vehicles over 200,000 miles every day in our shop. The results of proper care and/or neglect become apparent. We believe it is our professional responsibility to inspect vehicles carefully, keep records of all your vehicle maintenance and repair needs, and keep you informed. Our mission is to help you save money on the cost of vehicle ownership by performing the best maintenance and repairs possible with the most convenient and hassle-free service.