Just like you should get regular checkups at the doctor to keep track of your overall health, so too does your car need to be checked regularly to ensure everything is in good working condition. This is the primary purpose of preventative vehicle maintenance — to maximize vehicle availability and lifespan by catching and addressing problems that can result in vehicle breakdown if left unchecked.

Preventative vehicle maintenance encompasses many things, but all can be broadly categorized into 2 main types of services: regular servicing and preemptive vehicle repairs. Keep reading to learn more about these preventive vehicle maintenance services.

Regular Vehicle Servicing

As a part of preventive vehicle maintenance, you are supposed to get your car serviced at regular intervals to keep it running properly. Regular car servicing entails carrying out a variety of tasks that are crucial to maximizing the safety, performance, and efficiency of your car. These tasks include:

• Changing the engine oil and filter
• Checking the battery, spark plugs, lights, and other electrical components of the vehicle
• Inspecting the brakes, suspension and steering system, wheels and tires, and other safety- and performance-critical components of the vehicle
• Observing how the engine runs to assess its overall health
• Checking for exhaust smoke
• Inspecting the chassis and bodywork

Any problems that are identified during regular car servicing should be jotted down so that the appropriate repairs can be recommended and planned for.

Preemptive Vehicle Repairs

There are two main types of vehicle repairs — those that are done to fix unexpected problems (these may occur even in well-maintained vehicles) and those that are undertaken as a part of preventive maintenance of a vehicle.

Car problems that are discovered when carrying out regular servicing must never be left unaddressed because they'll only exacerbate over time and lead to bigger problems, which will be costlier to fix.

For example, engine oil leaks may be discovered when you bring your car in for an engine oil change. If the leaks are left unrepaired and new oil added to the engine, the leaking problem won't go away on its own — it will persist, leading to a low oil level and an overheating engine. This will not only cause your car repair bills to add up quickly but can also shorten the vehicle's lifespan.

When it comes to preventing car problems, it helps to seek the assistance of someone who is knowledgeable about cars and is experienced in working on them. Local auto mechanics are your go-to people if you need professional preventive vehicle maintenance services. For more information, contact a local auto shop, like Gregs Japanese Auto Parts and Service.