Your Guide to Routine Vehicle Maintenance

Denison, IA (April 19, 2024) – Maintaining your vehicle is about more than a gleaming exterior and purring engine. It's the heartbeat keeping you connected to the road, the lifeline that ensures your daily routines run smoothly. Yet, in the hustle of everyday life, car maintenance is often neglected. The following article reminds car owners of the benefits that come from routine vehicle maintenance - under the hood and around the tires.

The Logic of Keeping a Well-Maintained Vehicle

Imagine a day as nice as you could ask for, and you start your vehicle. Today, it refuses. Why? It could be the alternator, the battery, or a series of problems that are invisible until they halt your day. This is where routine maintenance comes into play.

Good Running Condition

Regular oil changes, timely (and preventive) brake pad replacements, and spark plug swaps are the unsung heroes of automotive care. By adhering to your manufacturer's maintenance schedule, you’re essentially taking steps to prevent the worst from happening. These simple tasks keep essential parts moving without issue and help prevent larger, more expensive issues further down the road. A well-oiled engine is not just a metaphor; it’s a vehicle’s guarantee of longevity.

Minimizing Wear and Tear

Each mile down the road is a mile of wear on your car. Yet, this doesn't have to equate to deterioration. Routine check-ups ensure that your vehicle's key components are not operating on the brink of failure. It's the difference between an air filter replaced at 15,000 miles and one that has ridden for twice the distance, clogged with debris and residue buildup over time. 

Change It Up

Regular oil changes, tire rotations, and timely belt replacements are not trivial pursuits. They are critical in preventing catastrophic failures that may result from overuse or neglect.

Steering Clear of Trouble

Wheel alignments and balancing can tackle the unstable wear patterns that develop, leading to irregular tire wear and impaired handling and safety risks.

Evaluate the Brakes

Winter can be tough on brakes with the cold, abrasive conditions. Have your brake pads, rotors, and calipers checked for wear and tear. Squeaky brakes can be friendly nudges towards their replacement.

Check the Tires

Winter may call for snow tires and chains, but spring prefers a lighter, less aggressive tread. Examine the condition of your all-season or summer tires including tire pressure and tread depth.

Washing Your Vehicle

Salt from icy roads seems to seep into every crevice of your car. Regular washes not only keep your vehicle looking sharp but also protect it from the corrosive effects of salt and can prevent rust.

Inspect Cooling System

Engine overheating is not just an issue of the desert. The summer sun, coupled with the stop-and-go of traffic, can put strains on your engine. Ensure that your cooling system is ready to keep things cool.

Test the Battery

The summer heat isn't always a battery’s best friend. Take a quick look for signs of corrosion and have a diagnostic test done to avoid any cold-start surprises.

Maintaining Resale Value

A well-cared-for vehicle often translates to a well-priced trade-in. Prospective buyers start their assessment with the feel of the drive and the look of the interior, but it's during the meticulous inspection that the benefits of routine maintenance truly shine. Records of a well-documented maintenance history tell a compelling story and provide peace of mind to a buyer - which might just seal the deal in your favor.

Your Premier Dealership

For those in the Denison, Iowa area, there is only one destination on the road to resilience — Team Auto Group. Known as one of the Midwest’s Premier Dealerships, Team Auto Group boasts a new and pre-owned inventory of the latest Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. Team’s commitment to exceptional customer service is paralleled only by their dedication to vehicle care.

Customers who are interested in upgrading to a brand new or new-to-you vehicle, are encouraged to take advantage of Team Auto Group’s vehicle buyback program. Through the program, the dealership offers to buy out a car owner’s existing vehicle lease of qualifying makes and models.

For more information about Team Auto Group’s new and used inventory, please visit Team Ford Lincoln or Team Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today, and follow the company on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.