| " An Automotive Establishment " |
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| " An Automotive Establishment " |
For the past five years or so, Paul and his friend, Tom, both have owned the same car model and
have driven about the same number of miles. Their driving habits are similar, so it would stand
to reason that the repair histories for both vehicles should be about the same, right? Wrong.
While Tom has never had a major problem with his car, Paul has had numerous malfunctions,
breakdowns and unexpected repair bills.
Could Paul"s car simply be a "lemon"? Maybe, but Paul’s luck probably has more to do with
the difference in the way Tom and Paul care for their vehicles.
Tom faithfully follows the suggested maintenance schedule for his car, while Paul has a
tendency to forget about, procrastinate, or otherwise neglect his maintenance recommendations.
Paul has an “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” attitude.
have driven about the same number of miles. Their driving habits are similar, so it would stand
to reason that the repair histories for both vehicles should be about the same, right? Wrong.
While Tom has never had a major problem with his car, Paul has had numerous malfunctions,
breakdowns and unexpected repair bills.
Could Paul"s car simply be a "lemon"? Maybe, but Paul’s luck probably has more to do with
the difference in the way Tom and Paul care for their vehicles.
Tom faithfully follows the suggested maintenance schedule for his car, while Paul has a
tendency to forget about, procrastinate, or otherwise neglect his maintenance recommendations.
Paul has an “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” attitude.
Tom knows that practicing good preventive maintenance is the best way to avoid major mechanical breakdowns and to protect the substantial investment
he made when he purchased a quality vehicle. His goal is to drive a safe, dependable vehicle that will maintain its full market value.
In the meantime, Paul seems unaware that driving a neglected vehicle can pollute the atmosphere, waste fuel, increase ownership costs and pose a safety
hazard to himself and other motorists. It is also difficult to budget for car repairs when you don't know when they might occur or what is likely to go
wrong. Paul still does not realize that if small problems are not found and corrected, they turn into major problems that can get expensive and shorten the
life of the vehicle.
he made when he purchased a quality vehicle. His goal is to drive a safe, dependable vehicle that will maintain its full market value.
In the meantime, Paul seems unaware that driving a neglected vehicle can pollute the atmosphere, waste fuel, increase ownership costs and pose a safety
hazard to himself and other motorists. It is also difficult to budget for car repairs when you don't know when they might occur or what is likely to go
wrong. Paul still does not realize that if small problems are not found and corrected, they turn into major problems that can get expensive and shorten the
life of the vehicle.
Preventive maintenance is recommended to prevent major problems by ensuring the vehicle's various
systems are properly inspected and serviced at regular intervals. Unfortunately, some motorists are under
the impression that "preventive" means "optional" or "not really necessary." They put off these procedures,
and then they can't figure out why their vehicles are not delivering the reliability, fuel economy and
trouble-free performance they expected.
systems are properly inspected and serviced at regular intervals. Unfortunately, some motorists are under
the impression that "preventive" means "optional" or "not really necessary." They put off these procedures,
and then they can't figure out why their vehicles are not delivering the reliability, fuel economy and
trouble-free performance they expected.
Let’s take an example: tire maintenance. Tom checks his tire pressure every few weeks. He makes sure his wheels are properly aligned and balanced, and
he gets his tires rotated every 6,000 to 7,000 miles. As a result, he can expect them to last up to 20% longer than the neglected tires that are wearing
unevenly on Paul's car.
As far as his wallet is concerned, that's the equivalent of getting a 20% discount on a set of four tires. As a bonus, he gets better gas mileage, performance
and handling to boot!
he gets his tires rotated every 6,000 to 7,000 miles. As a result, he can expect them to last up to 20% longer than the neglected tires that are wearing
unevenly on Paul's car.
As far as his wallet is concerned, that's the equivalent of getting a 20% discount on a set of four tires. As a bonus, he gets better gas mileage, performance
and handling to boot!
Here's another example: Many motorists assume their car's thermostat is working fine as long as the engine doesn't overheat. But a thermostat’s primary
function is to help keep the engine at its most efficient operating temperature--neither too hot nor too cold. Any deviation from that temperature can
produce a drop in efficiency, fuel economy and performance. The problem is that a thermostat, like most other parts on your car, does not last forever.
After a few years, it begins to lose its ability to regulate operating temperature. This can result in increased engine wear that will shorten the life of the
vehicle. So for Paul, a simple component like a thermostat can become an invisible drain on his wallet if it's not replaced at the appropriate interval.
What about severe service?
When you review your car's maintenance schedule, you must determine if it falls under the use category known as "severe service."
Many people assume this category pertains only to taxicabs, police cars and tow vehicles. They're often surprised to learn that under most
manufacturers’ definitions, about 70% of all vehicles may fall into this group! The determining criteria often include common situations such as short-
trip driving, stop-and-go driving, driving in extremely hot or cold temperatures, excessive idling and driving in dry or dusty conditions. If your vehicle
meets any of these criteria, you may need to follow your manufacturer’s schedule for severe service.
Preventing breakdowns
The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that as many as 5,000,000 roadside breakdowns could be prevented each year if motorists
would simply ensure their belts, hoses, tires and batteries are checked on a regular basis.
In Paul's case, if service is not performed on his vehicle for 10,000 miles, that means no one is inspecting his belts; hoses; battery; charging, cooling, fuel
and ignition systems; brakes; tires; transmission; steering; suspension; exhaust; etc. Ben can’t know if potential problems are developing in any of those
areas.
Have your vehicle serviced at the appropriate intervals to control your car's repair and maintenance needs—don’t let those needs control you! For
recommendations regarding the proper service intervals for your vehicle, consult your owner's manual or ask your service technician.
Give us a call today at 765-583-2085 for all your automotive needs.
function is to help keep the engine at its most efficient operating temperature--neither too hot nor too cold. Any deviation from that temperature can
produce a drop in efficiency, fuel economy and performance. The problem is that a thermostat, like most other parts on your car, does not last forever.
After a few years, it begins to lose its ability to regulate operating temperature. This can result in increased engine wear that will shorten the life of the
vehicle. So for Paul, a simple component like a thermostat can become an invisible drain on his wallet if it's not replaced at the appropriate interval.
What about severe service?
When you review your car's maintenance schedule, you must determine if it falls under the use category known as "severe service."
Many people assume this category pertains only to taxicabs, police cars and tow vehicles. They're often surprised to learn that under most
manufacturers’ definitions, about 70% of all vehicles may fall into this group! The determining criteria often include common situations such as short-
trip driving, stop-and-go driving, driving in extremely hot or cold temperatures, excessive idling and driving in dry or dusty conditions. If your vehicle
meets any of these criteria, you may need to follow your manufacturer’s schedule for severe service.
Preventing breakdowns
The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that as many as 5,000,000 roadside breakdowns could be prevented each year if motorists
would simply ensure their belts, hoses, tires and batteries are checked on a regular basis.
In Paul's case, if service is not performed on his vehicle for 10,000 miles, that means no one is inspecting his belts; hoses; battery; charging, cooling, fuel
and ignition systems; brakes; tires; transmission; steering; suspension; exhaust; etc. Ben can’t know if potential problems are developing in any of those
areas.
Have your vehicle serviced at the appropriate intervals to control your car's repair and maintenance needs—don’t let those needs control you! For
recommendations regarding the proper service intervals for your vehicle, consult your owner's manual or ask your service technician.
Give us a call today at 765-583-2085 for all your automotive needs.
How does preventive maintenance protect my automotive investment?
