Honestly, I’ve never been a believer of routine maintenance. I just drove the vehicle. As a safety manager it seems highly unusual to have that kind of nonchalant attitude for something that I rely on daily to keep me safe.. But I have learned that preventative maintenance is exactly that. Spend some money now to prevent big problems later. Routine work can save you money in the long run. It improves your vehicle trade-in value, maximizes mileage (therefore, minimizing money at the pumps) and prevents costly repairs down the road.
Most importantly, preventative maintenance keeps drivers safe. Stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety show that one in eight crashes can be chalked up to mechanical defects as a result of neglected vehicle maintenance. To me, that’s the root cause idea and that is what we need to correct going forward!
With summer fading into fall, owners in our harsh environmental conditions need to think about a few things:
- a tune up
- Fix the brakes: don’t procrastinate! Brakes are no joke and if you postpone needed brake work you could end up damaging rotors and having to pay more than necessary
- Change your oil. Regularly. Motor oil is blood! It helps extend the life of your vehicle and protects critical engine parts. In our area, oil change frequency should be 6 months or 8000 km.
Late Fall
Snow flies early some years so don’t be caught off guard.
- Check your battery. Batteries older than four years may not work well in cold weather. Replace it if you are not sure
- Check filters, coolants and hoses. Methinks it is easier to find soft hoses and leaks in a controlled environment then on the side of the road in a blizzard. Coolant should be changed every two years, although many newer vehicles have extended-life coolant which lasts about five years.
- Be concerned with tire pressure and frequently check to ensure you have the right tire pressure. Remember that for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit fluctuation in temperature your tire pressure will change by about 2% (down for cold and up for hot). You will need to use an accurate tire gauge because it is impossible to determine correct pressure by a visual inspection. Correct tire inflation optimizes fuel economy, traction and handling.
- Check windows and locks. Make sure you have ice scrapers and de-icers handy. Also make sure your windshield wipers and front and rear defrosters are working properly.
Ducharme Motors can take the worry out of preventative maintenance by performing the checks your car needs. Go on line at ducharmemotors.com to book a appointment or drop in. No appointment necessary Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to midnight, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday in our Quick Lane.
So what is in it for me? Pretty much everything. Why wait for the cold when you can get ahead of it?
Sherry Skrypichayko
Health & Safety Manager
Ducharme Group