Preventive maintenance is essential to any vehicle. This type of maintenance contributes to increasing the lifespan of components, their reliability, safety and, of course, to reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Though this is common knowledge, many people continue to underestimate the importance of regular maintenance, which leads to their cars needing unexpected, costly repairs that could otherwise have been avoided.

Keep reading our article to find out what preventive car maintenance is and the reasons to carry it out.

 

What is preventive maintenance?

As the name implies, preventive maintenance prevents a car from facing more serious problems in the near future.

Opting for this type of maintenance allows you to detect vehicle wear more quickly, as well as the need to change components even before your car’s mandatory MOT or annual service.

 

Why should you carry out preventive maintenance?

Failing to keep up with your vehicle maintenance will not only put a dent in your family’s budget but can also put you at risk when on the road.

There are several types of preventive maintenance, from something as simple as an oil change to a comprehensive service.

But why is regular maintenance so crucial for a car?

Check out the top 3 reasons for performing preventive maintenance on your car.

 

1. Improves fuel efficiency

Regular car maintenance helps your car do more miles on less fuel.

Failing to change your car oil or air filter negatively affects your vehicle’s fuel consumption.

Car manufacturers recommend an oil change at regular intervals, though the recommended time between changes may vary depending on the engine, make, and model of your car.

You should always follow your vehicle manufacturer’s instructions.

 

2. Increased safety and savings

Failure to replace a single component – the timing belt, for example – once you’ve gone over the recommended kilometres, can have severe consequences in the event of a breakdown and can even lead to permanent engine damage.

Regularly inspecting and cleaning your car battery prevents problems starting your vehicle and unexpected car trouble.

An insufficiently maintained vehicle may cause car accidents, which are not only expensive but also pose a risk to your safety and the safety of other road users.

These are just some examples of how preventive car maintenance can help keep you safe, as well as saving you time and money.

 

3. Prevents serious problems

Many serious problems affecting the engine and transmission can be avoided with regular preventive maintenance.

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual, which is issued by the manufacturer, or visit a reliable mechanic to find out the preventive maintenance service required by your car and how often it needs to be performed.

Basic maintenance services such as oil changes or fluid checks can go a long way to extending a car’s lifespan.

 

Preventive maintenance Checklist 

To extend the lifetime and performance of your car to the greatest extent possible, here’s a vehicle preventive maintenance checklist, which you should check regularly.

Some vehicle components should be inspected regularly, while others only need inspecting further down the line.

Make sure you follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

Check out the list of components that should be checked in our preventive maintenance checklist below.

 

Which components should you check as part of your vehicle’s preventive maintenance checklist?

• Oil and antifreeze levels;
• Air filter;
• Oil filter;
• Tyre pressure and condition;
• Headlight alignment;
• Brakes and parking lights.

 

 

 

Which components should you check in a medium-term check-up?

The components that you should check in a medium-term check-up are:

• Steering alignment;
• Transmission fluid;
• Shock absorbers and springs;
• Antifreeze levels;
• Glow plugs/ ignition system;
• Timing belt;

 

Which components should you check in a seasonal check-up?

• Windscreen wipers;
• Batteries;
• Tyres.

Preventive maintenance may seem like a lot of effort, but it is necessary, as it helps detect and prevent problems before they become an issue, helping you avoid breakdowns.

 

How much does preventive maintenance cost?

The price of preventive maintenance starts at 45 euros and can reach 200 euros. This value varies depending on your vehicle and the number of components checked.

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