V&H Automotive is a proud member of the Marshfield, WI business community, and we care about helping drivers keep their vehicles running as long as possible. We can help you maintain your vehicle at our Marshfield dealership with essential parts and service for reliable, long-term performance. After purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle, you need to protect your investment to preserve its value and avoid various issues while reducing wear and tear damage. Vehicle maintenance is vital for all drivers, regardless of make and model. Our dealership will gladly handle maintenance and repairs after you drive your new car off our lot. For your convenience, we’ve outlined a collection of essential maintenance tips to ensure you drive safely and confidently.
Schedule Regular Oil Changes
Oil changes are one of the most basic tasks in maintaining your vehicle. We advise you to adhere to the oil change interval recommendations by the manufacturer. Vehicles typically require an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Sticking to this routine helps your engine run smoothly for longer.
Replace Your Air Filter
Your engine is able to take in air properly through a clean filter, which improves its performance and fuel efficiency. Generally, you must check your air filter and replace it whenever necessary. Air filters tend to need replacement in intervals between 12,000 and 15,000 miles to keep a vehicle running at its best.
Care for Your Tires
Maintaining your vehicle’s tires with proper care is integral to driving safely and efficiently. V&H Automotive advises you to check the pressure in each tire regularly and keep even tread wear by rotating them. Tires will inevitably wear down over time, so you’ll need to replace them periodically.
Inspect Your Brake System
Your vehicle’s safety depends on properly working brakes that are in good condition, so you want to make brake inspections a priority. If you have appropriate training, you can inspect your brakes and rotors regularly. If you spot signs of wear, or your brakes or rotors don’t perform as well as before, you should replace them. Those without training should rely on a reputable automotive service professional for these tasks.
Verify Battery Health
Your car battery is crucial for your vehicle to start. Without a healthy battery, you can’t turn over the engine and power a wide array of essential components. You can avoid this problem by checking for corrosion on your battery’s terminals and testing your battery regularly. This task is particularly important before winter because the cold weather puts a strain on your battery.
Check All Fluids
Regular fluid inspections and maintenance are vital to driving safely and reliably. These automotive fluids include transmission fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. You must keep these fluids at the correct levels and ensure they’re in suitable condition to keep various vehicle components and systems working properly.
Replace Your Timing Belt
Another crucial maintenance you don’t want to neglect over time is replacing your timing belt. You can find timing belt replacement recommendations in your vehicle owner’s manual. Future engine damage can be catastrophic and expensive to fix, but it’s avoidable when you replace your timing belt on schedule.
Clean and Wax Your Vehicle
Caring for your car’s exterior includes regular washing and waxing to keep the paint and finish in good condition. We recommend washing, waxing, and detailing your vehicle regularly to keep it safe against a broad range of environmental factors, including rain, snow, and salt, to a certain extent. Regular washing and waxing also help your car preserve its resale value.
Address Car Issues as Quickly as Possible
You should never turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to strange noises and other vehicle warning signs. If your car shows any signs of an issue, you must have a mechanic address it as quickly as possible. Some examples of telltale warning signs include fluid leaks, warning lights on your dashboard display, and abnormal engine sounds.
Keep Automotive Records for Your Car
Every driver should keep a detailed record of all vehicle repairs and maintenance over time. This record helps you keep an active account of your car’s service history and can improve its resale value when it’s time to sell or trade in your vehicle. V&H Automotive gladly provides physical documentation whenever you entrust us with your vehicle repair and maintenance services.
Find a Mechanic You Can Trust
A reliable and trustworthy service center or mechanic is an invaluable asset to any vehicle owner. You need to find one with a consistently positive reputation, and a service center should have notably skilled technicians on its staff. These reputable professionals can perform all repairs and maintenance tasks on your vehicle. You’re welcome to look into V&H Automotive and discover how countless drivers trust our parts and service center well after purchasing a new or pre-owned car.
Get in Touch With V&H Automotive Today for Service
You can count on V&H Automotive for a wide selection of quality vehicles and helpful insight covering everything from buying a used car to regular car maintenance. Our Marshfield auto service center can handle repair and maintenance over time to preserve your vehicle investment. Contact us today or visit us for more information about our dealership or to discuss a new car purchase or ongoing service.