One of the many marketing tools that automobile manufacturers and dealerships  use to enhance the sale of new cars is the incentive of providing a free vehicle maintenance program.  Coverage varies greatly from one automaker to the other and can range from a free tire rotation to full maintenance coverage for up to four years.  But what happens when the program term expires?  And what about older model vehicles; is it economical to have a maintenance program for your higher-mileage vehicle?  The answer is yes — having a routine maintenance program for your car or truck is an essential investment that you should make for your vehicle.

Today the automobile is an integral part of our life. We rely on the proper functioning of the family car and seldom, if ever, make a time allowance in case the car should fail to start. We expect our vehicle to start every time, and fortunately, most of the time it does. However, the rare instance when it does not start causes the owner to forget the many hundreds of times that it started without a problem. The irony is that, chances are, the car failed to start because of neglect. A periodic maintenance program will keep you aware of the condition of your vehicle and will save you money in three important areas: fuel economy, emissions and performance.

One good example is your vehicles brake fluid. Brake fluid is one item which most manufacturers require to be replaced periodically in order to keep your vehicle in warranty. But, that doesn’t change the fact that brake fluid is hydroscopic; meaning that it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Over time moisture in the brake system will lead to corrosion and damage to internal brake system parts. Moreover, excessive levels of moisture in the fluid can dramatically lower its boiling point. Should temperatures during hard braking, such as mountain driving, trailer towing, etc., allow the brake fluid to boil, you could experience a sudden and complete loss of braking ability. Therefore, if you plan on keeping your car for any length of time, and/or if you use it under harsh conditions, it would be very wise to change the brake fluid inn your vehicle.  However, unlike performing a simple oil change, changing the brake fluid is a much more complicated and technical task that should only be performed by a mechanic.

Other benefits to having routine maintenance on your vehicle include the likelihood of discovering potential mechanical failures such as steering components, the electrical and charging system, and the drive train.  Most of these components are not readily visible, and you don’t whether the onset of a problem even exists until there is complete failure.  But by maintaining a routine inspection/lubrication schedule of all of the major mechanical components of your vehicle, this potential can practically be eliminated.

Pearl Street Automotive proudly offers scheduled vehicle maintenance services and that is why we are your Waukesha Automotive Repair service experts.