The Bare Necessities of Auto Maintenance

Everyone knows you need to get regular maintenance on your car if you want it to last for many years. There are some things you should do every month and there are some things best left to the professional mechanic. It’s better to pay for routine auto maintenance in Ann Arbor, MI than it is to pay for a major repair. Fortunately the home maintenance items are really quite simple.

Each month you should do a routine check of some basic systems and components in your vehicle. The routine checks can catch developing problems early so you can hopefully keep a major breakdown at bay. You will also insure that your car is as safe as possible. You don’t have to spend a lot of time on your maintenance program, but you do need to be faithful.

What You Can Do Yourself

If you want to avoid the need for towing in Ann Arbor, MI then every month check the following:

* Verify the air filter is clean and doesn’t need replacing
* Check that the hoses are well connected and don’t show signs of wear and tear
* Fill the windshield washer fluid well so windows that get dirty while you’re driving can be cleaned
* Check that the battery cables are clean and firmly connected to terminals
* Check for coolant
* Visually inspect for loose or frayed wiring
* Check the brake fluid
* Check the power steering fluid
* Check the oil level
* Check that tires are properly inflated
* Check that all belts are in place and don’t show signs of fraying

If you do routine monthly maintenance on your auto, then you are often able to catch developing problems early. For example, if you check your oil level and discover it’s a quart low each time then you may have a slow oil leak somewhere. There is also a safety factor involved. Keeping your tires inflated and your windshield washer fluid filled increases the safety factor of the car.

Calling All Mechanics

A successful program of auto maintenance in Ann Arbor, MI will include your monthly vehicle checkup and periodic checkups by a professional mechanic. The professional mechanic will go deeper into the engine and insure that more complex systems are checked.

For example, every year you should have the gas line filter checked to make sure it is not getting plugged. Other types of maintenance the mechanic will handle include running engine diagnostics, cleaning PCV valves, lubricating the steering and suspension, and cleaning the fuel injectors. In addition, the mechanic at the auto repair shop in Ann Arbor, MI will check wheel bearings and verify that the shocks are in good condition plus service the transmission.

How often maintenance is necessary depends on what is being maintained. For example, PCV valves should be cleaned every 12,000 miles while steering lubrication should be done every 3,000 miles. Your auto mechanic will work with you to develop a routine maintenance schedule.

You can’t rely on just the mechanic specializing in auto repair in Ann Arbor, MI. You have to rely on yourself too. For your efforts, you have a much better chance of having many years of trouble free driving.

Muffler Man - Complete Auto Repair Service serving Washtenaw, MI provides auto and truck repair services for both foreign and domestic vehicles. For more details on our Auto Maintenance and Towing Services please visit our website.