Are You Saving Money by Skipping Required Maintenance?

When money is tight, it can be tempting to put off required maintenance, especially if your car is working properly. In the long run, however, this is a mistake that could just end up costing you more. Indeed, even basic vehicle maintenance procedures like oil changes and brake inspections can prevent more serious problems. Here is some information that will help you understand the consequences of skipping required maintenance.

What Happens if You Skip an Oil Change?

Changing your car’s engine oil regularly is one of the most basic components of auto maintenance. Engine oil is the lifeblood of your engine. It lubricates your engine’s moving parts and helps prevent excessive friction. In addition to helping your engine run efficiently, oil also helps prolong the lifespan of your engine’s components. When you skip an oil change, however, your engine oil’s viscosity decreases, leading to a variety of serious problems. For one, the oil is no longer able to provide proper lubrication. In addition, old engine oil can leak into other parts of your engine, including the combustion chamber.

Why is it Important to Have Your Tires Realigned Regularly?

When it comes to automotive performance, the condition of your tires makes a huge difference. In addition to reducing gas mileage, poorly inflated, worn out tires also pose a safety risk as handling will decrease. One of the biggest contributors to premature tire wear is misalignment. Over time your tires become misaligned, meaning one or two tires will wear out faster than the others. In order to avoid premature wear and maintain efficiency, it is critical that you have your car’s tires rotated regularly.

Whether your car is new or used, regular maintenance is of the utmost importance. Regular trips to the mechanic will help keep your car in top condition, which will improve efficiency and help prevent more serious problems from developing later on. If you want to learn more about the benefits of regular automotive maintenance, call Murray’s Auto Clinics at 301-585-7557.