What is Preventive Maintenance and How Does it Work?
Jeff Cole
Director of Service Operations, McGrath Family of Dealerships
Preventive maintenance involves proactively maintaining a vehicle to prevent potential issues rather than waiting for problems to arise. Rather than waiting for warning lights, unusual sounds, changes in driving behavior, or breakdowns, it's better to regularly maintain the car.
Here are some key areas to focus on:
- Monitor oil and oil filter health regularly instead of waiting until the last minute.
- Check and adjust tire pressure regularly.
- Replace the air filter before it gets clogged and at certain intervals.
- Replace the cabin filter before it gets clogged and at certain intervals.
- Maintain a regular schedule for changing coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid.
- Don't solely rely on gas stations for clean fuel; use fuel cleaners and additives regularly.
- Ensure your vehicle is inspected by a professional at every oil change.
Preventive maintenance not only helps extend the lifespan and efficiency of the vehicle and its components but also reduces the likelihood of being stranded with a dead battery or malfunctioning engine on the side of the road.
Click the link below to access our maintenance schedule guide, customized by brand, to ensure your vehicle stays in top condition.