Why People Put Off Car Maintenance…and Pay More in the End!
A car engine is a complex piece of machinery and needs regular maintenance. Regular car maintenance gives you the best chance of getting ideal engine performance and extends the life of the car. That is why it is so ironic that people will put off car maintenance that costs a hundred, or even a few hundred, dollars on a vehicle that cost thousands of dollars. Taking care of your car not only saves you money in the long run and increases the car’s life, the regular maintenance also helps maintain the value of the car over time. In addition, regular maintenance can make your car safer in any ways.
Knowing that regular and simple maintenance greatly reduces the chances of developing car problems, why do people postpone car maintenance?
Following is a list of some of the reasons.
- Tight household budget
- Don’t want to lose use of the car while it’s at the repair shop
- Tight time schedules
- Procrastination
There are probably other reasons, but these are the most common. What is amazing is that studies show that just fifteen minutes spent on basic maintenance can prevent most major breakdowns. The good news is that using a mobile mechanic addresses all of the reasons why people put off car maintenance.
The services of mobile mechanics are affordable, convenient to access, don’t require delivering of the car to a shop, fit most time schedules, and enable even procrastinators to get the job done quickly and easily. Mobile car repair services were designed to make auto maintenance something easy to accomplish and able to fit into even tight budgets.
Costing Yourself Money
Probably anyone who owns a car knows why car maintenance is so important. A car has so many parts and systems that must work efficiently and in sync in order to avoid developing problems including really serious ones such as major breakdowns.
For example, even something as simple as a regular oil change can protect the entire engine. Oil serves several purposes in the engine including cooling, cleaning, and reducing friction that is created by moving metal parts. Without oil in the engine, it would only take a short while for the engine to overheat to the point where it would come to a grinding halt.
An engine combustion chamber gets as hot as 2,4820 Celsius. Obviously the engine needs something to prevent the temperature from going any higher than the chamber is designed to handle. Oil circulation plays a role in reducing the engine temperature as it circulates. In addition, oil coats moving metal parts to prevent friction that could cause sparks and metal wear. The oil used today also contains a special detergent that removes engine grime build-up.
Oil that is allowed to become full of engine sludge and has chemically broken down due to heat exposure cannot do its job properly. Eventually those grinding metal parts will wear out due to lack of oil cushioning and the engine can be seriously damaged.
No Excuse Maintenance
Some people change their own oil, but it is much better to let a mechanic handle even the regular maintenance. That’s because the mechanic can do the required maintenance and will also be able to recognize signs of developing problems in many areas. The mobile mechanic will change the oil, check the filters, verify the brakes are sound, check the spark plugs, test engine computers, check the air in the tires, and so on. Regular auto maintenance can prevent a host of expensive auto problems.
- Clean air filters keep air and dirt out of your engine preventing clogs that can lead to engine overheating
- Intact engine belts keep engine accessories operating properly including the alternator, power steering pump, and water pump
- Testing the battery charge periodically can prevent a breakdown at the worst time
- Proper coolant levels helps keep parts such as aluminium cylinder heads free of corrosion
- Replacing worn hoses before they break and leak can prevent an expensive tow
- Maintaining proper transmission fluid levels and the right kind of transmission fluid can prevent the destruction of the entire transmission system
- Changing the brake fluid at least every two years can prevent corrosion of the hydraulic components
- Keeping tires properly inflated can prevent hydroplaning and make it easier to maintain proper control of the car (possibly saving your life if you need to suddenly brake hard)
These are just a few examples of how important auto maintenance can be for, 1) keeping you safe in the car during operation, and 2) preventing more expensive car problems from developing. With the availability of mobile mechanics, there is really no excuse for procrastinators or people on tight budgets or time to put off car maintenance. The affordable service comes to you and helps you keep your investment in top running condition.
Mobile Mechanics says:
If people put off the maintenance, it can create catastrophic issues …. where they won’t recognize you or ask about the kids, and pay more. …
August 31st, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Anthony says:
Interesting article, thanks for the information.
May 17th, 2010 at 10:53 pm