Wondering how often should you have your car serviced?

If you are like most drivers, you want a safe and trustworthy vehicle.  But you may be wondering, “How often should you have your car serviced?”  The answer is quite simple. Follow the factory suggested vehicle maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.  Adhering as close as potential to this schedule will help prevent an expensive car repair and ensure that you are driving as safe as potential, especially during winter’s cold days.

Many newer cars have an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system that provides an alert on the dash when it is time for certain services, such oil changes, fluid level inspects, component checkups and other car maintenance services.  This reminder system makes mileage-based schedules obsolete and also takes a number of vehicle operating conditions into account.  Although you should be able to trust these reminder systems to guide your maintenance visits, it is still wise to double-check with your car repair technician, especially if you don’t put many miles on your car during a year’s time.

Older cars commonly still rely on mileage for service intervals. There are commonly two different maintenance schedules, one for cars driven in “normal” conditions and another for those used in “severe” conditions. Normal conditions would be straight level ground with little stop-and-go traffic.  Though, many drivers possibly meet the definition of severe conditions, involving one or more of the following conditions:

• Primarily short trips stop-and-go driving 
• Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates
• Mountainous terrain
• Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer.

Plan ahead for car repair and maintenance by finding an auto shop and technician you can trust before you want them. Inspect them out for an appearance, technician training and certification, insurance coverage and customer satisfaction. 

So how often should you have your car serviced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car repair service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

What Does a Full Car Service Include?

The list of services is similar for all vehicles with a few variances depending on the make and model of your car. Every car has its own service schedule--generally stated in the owner’s manual.  Following this schedule will help keep your vehicle at its optimum performance level and ensure it lasts you as long as you need it to. 

Wondering what does a full car service include? Ask your car repair specialist.  We recommend that you have the best level of service you can afford.  Just be sure to always ask what is included in a full car service so that you understand what you are paying for.

So what does a full car service include?  Normally, minor services are normally performed at 7,500, 15,000, 45,000 and 75,000 miles while major services are performed at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000-mile intervals.  Though the major car services are not performed as frequently, they want to be done to protect the guarantee, maintain safety, and boost the resale value of your vehicle.

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, here are several of the car maintenance items that you should take care of on a regular basis:

• Oil change
• Tire rotation, wheel alignment, and tire balancing
• Car battery
• Inspect and either replace or top-off all fluids.
• Windshield wipers—replace about every 6 months.
• Replace burned-out lights.
• Replace the timing belt and/or serpentine belt at the suggested mileage interval.
• Service the air conditioner/heater.
• Other services related to fuel delivery, ignition and emissions systems.

There are two major benefits of keeping up with vehicle maintenance.  

1. First, your mechanic can let you know what may want to replaced right away, or what can wait a while. 
2. Secondly, you can drive with peace of mind knowing that you have a trustworthy and safe source of transportation. 

Do you want to know more about what does a full car service include?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our car repair services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

When Do You Need to Service Your Car?

You may want your car to last a few more years so you want to take good care of it.  You may be wondering when do you need to service your car?  The answer is simple!  Follow the suggested vehicle maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual.  You will find a list of the maintenance items that should be taken care of and the appropriate interval for each service.

• In-vehicle Reminder Systems for Maintenance

Most new cars have an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system so that you no longer have to worry about keeping an eye on your vehicle’s odometer.  This reminder system takes a number of operating conditions into account and delivers an alert on the dash when it is time for an engine oil change, fluid level checks, component checkups, or other maintenance services.  If you don’t drive very many miles in a year, it is strongly suggested that have some maintenance items taken care of, such as oil changes and tire rotations, even if the service light has not come on.

• Mileage-Based Service Intervals

Older cars still have maintenance service intervals based on the number of miles driven within a specified time period. There are generally two different maintenance schedules listed--one for cars driven in “normal” operating conditions; and one for cars driven in “severe” operating conditions.  Severe driving could be described as primarily short trips of five miles or less, extreme hot or cold climates, stop-and-go driving, towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads.  

Tip to Remember:  Find a car repair shop and auto technician you can trust before you actually need them. 

Wondering how often do you need your car serviced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Are you wondering if a Car Service is Necessary?

Do you remember the last time you were in an auto shop for some type of car repair?  If it’s been a while, you may think you’re saving money by extending the time between service intervals, but the potential cost of car repair due to lack of maintenance is much greater than the cost of a repair.

The four tips below should answer your question about if a car service is necessary:

• Fuel efficiency can be drastically decreased
• Your car will lack performance power
• The quality of the air inside your vehicle will not be healthy
• A build-up of oil sludge will result in a noisier motor

Some types of engine damage are hidden and do not necessarily impact your ability to drive your car.  For example, if you drive with little or no oil for an extended period of time, you can severely damage the head gasket or the pistons.  The engine repair resulting from this neglect can cost a small fortune.  For just a few dollars, regular oil changes would have prevented the damage in the first place.

A word to the wise:  Don’t wait for the service warning lights to come on before scheduling car service.  Damage could already be taking place.  Follow the maintenance schedule stated in your owner’s manual, or ask your car repair technician to keep you informed as to when your car should be serviced.

Are you wondering if a car service is necessary?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.