What does good maintenance look like?

You rely on your car to get you to work, activities, just about everywhere. We all buy cars with some expectations surrounding safety, longevity, and reliability. When you’re commuting to Seattle for work, or navigating the roads of Renton, how do you know your vehicle will perform as expected?

We all know we’re supposed to go to the doctor regularly, even when we’re well, to stay in good shape. Similarly we get regular cleanings at the dentist to prevent cavities. While your car may not be in danger of cavities, it does need regular maintenance. Here’s our advice for keeping your car in good condition as long as possible.

Mileage Matters

For most vehicles, mileage is the most reliable maintenance marker. You should be changing your oil and filter every 3,000 to 6,000 miles, and having your coolant, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid checked then as well. According to United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, we’re driving an average of 13,476 miles per year. This means you should have your oil changed and fluids checked approximately every three months, or four times a year.

The further out in mileage you go, the more get added to the list. Around the 6,000-9,000 mile mark, you should be checking your battery, your filters, belts and cables.

Your factory scheduled maintenance is likely to be every 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles. With so many different schedules, how do you keep track?

Beetlesmith’s Recommendation

We recommend letting us do a comprehensive vehicle check every 10,000 miles, or roughly once a year. If there’s a problem, we’ll do our best to address it honestly and efficiently. Our goal is to keep your car running safely, giving you the most life out of your vehicle.

If it’s been a while since anyone looked under the hood, give us a call and get it scheduled. We’re honored to be your choice for automotive repair in Renton!