As we approach the holiday season, many of us will be stretching our budgets. While regular maintenance helps you avoid more costly car repairs down the road, you don’t want waste your cash on unnecessary work.
To save you money year round, your Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) are sharing the top maintenance myths:
3,000-Mile Oil Change
- Follow the advice in your owner’s manual. Under normal driving conditions, most vehicles can go 7,500 miles or six months between oil changes.
Chassis Lubing
- Some places may suggest lubing the chassis. Beware: most cars don’t require the chassis to be lubricated.
Filter Overload
- Oil, air, fuel and transmission filters all need replacing at some time, but not every time you get your oil changed. Check your owner’s manual for recommended replacement intervals.
Too Much Flushing
- If someone suggests the radiant coolant be flushed with every oil change, just say no. Most owners’ manuals recommend every five years or 60,000 miles. However, if the level is extremely low, check for a leak and have it serviced, if needed.
Pricier Gas
- Just because it’s more expensive, doesn’t mean it’s better. Using premium grade fuel won’t hurt your car, but it won’t necessarily help either. If your car is designed for 87-octane fuel (what we often call ‘regular’ grade) don’t spend money on premium.
Dealership Work
- One of the biggest myths is that a dealership must perform the maintenance in order for the vehicle’s warranty to be valid. That’s false.
- As long as the maintenance detailed in the owner’s manual is performed on schedule, the work can be done at any repair shop. You can even do it yourself if you have the skills. Just keep accurate receipts.
NARPRO (Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals): The Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) helps car owners find skilled and honest car repair shops. NARPRO only recommends independent, family-owned, full-service auto repair shops that have passed 26 rigorous tests. Visit www.NARPRO.com to find recommended shops near work or home. NARPRO is the easiest way to find an honest mechanic in the Valley.