You love your luxury car. You drive it everywhere and never have any problems because you take care of it by having a mechanic check up on it at least once a year. Even if an oil change is all that’s needed during the check-up, this will prevent any small issues from turning into major problems down the road.
When going in for a check-up, there are some specific tasks that should be performed even if they don’t seem all too important. This is due to the fact that your service technician sees your vehicle every time you bring it in, and can quickly determine what needs to be done at each visit based on their previous knowledge of how you drive and maintain your car. Here are some of the most common tasks that are performed during a check-up, and why they are important to the longevity of your luxury car.
Clean battery terminals – The battery is an essential component of your vehicle, powering every function in the car when you start it up. This means that any corrosion or rust built up on the terminals will reduce power transferred from the battery to your engine. Your mechanic should check the type of corrosion that has accumulated around your battery posts, clean them off if necessary, and apply an anti-corrosion solution before reattaching them securely to the posts.
Change Engine Oil – Clean oil helps lubricate moving parts inside your engine better than dirty oil would, resulting in less friction overall throughout its lifespan. Clean oil also helps prevent debris and dirt from building up and affecting your engine. If you drive a lot of short trips, the oil in the engine doesn’t have much time to become dirty before being replaced by new oil during an oil change service.
Replace Air Filter – The air filter is part of what helps keep debris from entering your car’s engine, which could cause it to run inefficiently or even break down completely. A clogged or dirty air filter can reduce airflow going into the engine, which affects how efficiently it operates over time. It will also adversely affect gas mileage. Replacing it at each visit ensures that this important function in your vehicle performs at 100%.
Check for Leaks – This may seem simple, but checking for leaks after your service can help your mechanic determine what type of parts need to be replaced the next time you bring your car in. Leaks are often accompanied by a small puddle forming under where they are located, which would be an indication that there is a problem with the part allowing the liquid or gas to escape. Replacing any worn-out parts along with regular maintenances ensures that your car will perform at its best for years to come.
Take it easy on the accelerator – Driving fast accelerates the wear and tear on several engine components. It also uses more fuel over time. It’s good practice to let your vehicle coast whenever possible, meaning not using the accelerator when driving downhill or when it isn’t needed in normal conditions. If you want to really maximize your car’s fuel economy, turn the engine off when you are at a complete stop.
Be mindful of road conditions – Driving rough or bumpy roads takes more energy to do so than driving on smooth surfaces. This can cause unnecessary wear and tear on suspension components, if not immediately then over time, depending on how often this occurs (and what type of terrain it is). Smooth travel also uses less gas. If you encounter rough or bumpy roads frequently, look into having your vehicle’s shocks and struts checked for wear after any visit where you had work done to correct wear and tear already existing due to these types of driving conditions.
Visit the Binghamton Auto Exchange at 209 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal NY or call us at 607-754-9118 for a great deal on your next used luxury car.
