Understanding Car Repair vs. Car Maintenance
Car repair, car maintenance….tomAto, tomAHto? Not quite. Car maintenance and car repair are two very different things, and it’s important to understand the difference.
What’s the Difference Between Car Maintenance and Car Repair?
When some part of your car isn’t working properly, you bring it in for repair. Car repair is about fixing what’s broken or not performing well, from a sputtering engine to a crack in the windshield.
Car maintenance isn’t about fixing problems — it’s all about extending the life of your vehicle. If you don’t maintain your vehicle, it may die years before it needs to. When you maintain your car it’s also less likely to need repairs — a good thing, since repairs are usually more expensive than maintenance. It’s easier to keep a car in good shape than fix a broken one!
Car Maintenance Services
So what does car maintenance really look like? There are lots of car maintenance services, and an auto shop can help you determine what services you need for your car.
Here’s your quick reference car maintenance checklist:
Tire rotations
Air, oil, and fuel filters
Brake replacements
Fluid changes or flushes
Transmission, brake, windshield washer, and power steering fluid; coolant and antifreeze
And check out our blog on when to complete every maintenance milestone.
Why Maintenance is Crucial
Skipping out on your car maintenance to-do list might not seem like a big deal, but it adds up. You damage your vehicle when you avoid car maintenance. Wouldn’t you rather fit a few maintenance steps into your life, than deal with a major car breakdown or issue? Maintaining your car will save you time and money and keep your car running for years to come.
Want to tackle your maintenance to-do list? Schedule an appointment for all your car maintenance needs.
