VEHICLES NEED REGULAR MAINTENANCE

What’s the best used vehicle? There are many ways to answer this question, but one thing remains constant: the best used vehicle is the one that is well-maintained.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE PUTS MONEY IN YOUR POCKET!

It’s all very well to cut back here and there, or to improvise yourself as a car mechanic when your knowledge is basic, but the one thing you mustn’t do is leave your pre-owned vehicle without maintenance by a certified mechanic.

At regular intervals, your vehicle needs an inspection to keep it on the road. In fact, it’s recommended. With just a few simple steps and periodic checks, you can save time and money.

In this respect, vehicle maintenance can be carried out using the maintenance schedule, which also specifies the duration and mileage (for example, 6 months/10,000 km). Watch out! Excessively long periods without maintenance could lead to breakdowns. Your garage can also tell you when to book your next maintenance appointment. Finally, more and more vehicles equipped with monitoring systems will tell you when it’s time to visit your garage.

In short, the more regularly you maintain your vehicle, the better off it will be. Moreover, when you visit your mechanic, your invoices will serve as proof for both the person who buys your pre-owned car and the lessor when the time comes to hand over your vehicle at the end of your car lease.

WHAT DOES REGULAR MAINTENANCE INCLUDE ON YOUR VEHICLE?

Basically, if you visit your mechanic twice a year, he will be able to take care of your vehicle’s maintenance. He will check, among other things:

• Engine oil and various fluids

• Air filter and cabin filter

• Tires and alignment

• Brake and disc condition

• Battery capacity

• Spark plugs

• Rust appearance on the vehicle and appropriate treatment

• Etc.

In short, it’s important to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Your mechanic will be able to advise you if there are any more serious problems.

So, whether it’s a fluid check, a brake check or an oil change, only a trained mechanic can do it for you.

For example, after a tire inspection, he can advise you on what would be best for your vehicle. When it comes to tires, there’s a plethora of tire brands to choose from, and each tire has its own particular function. As this is a rather technical field, your mechanic has the expertise to help you choose the right tires.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SERVICE YOUR VEHICLE?

We’ve previously started to answer this question. A good tip would be to go for a car service inspection every six months.

Why not schedule your vehicle’s maintenance at the same time as you change your tires?

In Québec from December 1 to March 15 you have to put winter tires on your vehicle. While these are the official dates provided by the Québec government, we suggest you take into account spring conditions, which can vary. Accordingly, Transports Québec recommends

“TO WAIT A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE END OF THIS PERIOD BEFORE INSTALLING YOUR ALL-SEASON OR SUMMER TIRES.”

By following this schedule, you can be sure that when your tires are changed, your vehicle will be thoroughly checked by your auto mechanics, and you’ll have peace of mind for the next six months.

HOW MUCH DOES CAR MAINTENANCE COST?

As CARFAX notes:

“CAR MAINTENANCE IS CRUCIAL FOR VEHICLE OWNERS. BEYOND YOUR SAFETY, IT IMPROVES YOUR CAR’S RELIABILITY AND PERFORMANCE, MINIMIZES THE RISK OF ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES AND INCREASES VEHICLE RESALE VALUE.”

With this in mind, nothing more can be said about the maintenance of your vehicle. On the other hand, for every visit to your garage, you’ll have to pay to have the work done. As there are several factors involved, the average hourly rate for garages is around $110/hour. Depending on the amount of time involved, you’ll certainly need to spend a few hundred dollars, or even a little bit more for each visit.

However, regular maintenance will prevent surprise repairs, which can prove more costly.

In conclusion, for your pre-owned vehicle, come and meet our experts at Touteslesmarques.ca, your dealers in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord and Charlevoix regions.