When making out a monthly budget, do you tend to just skip over car maintenance?<\/p>\n
Lots of people do, no judgment here, but why are most people afraid of maintenance?<\/p>\n
Is it the time involved? The cost? The inconvenience? Or is it one of those \u201cif it ain\u2019t broke don\u2019t fix it\u201d deals?\u00a0 Perhaps people just don\u2019t think about it until the car acts up or that dreaded \u201cCheck Engine\u201d light comes on.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s article, we want to discuss the reasons above and why car maintenance should be embraced, not feared.<\/p>\n
Overcoming Those Obstacles<\/strong><\/p>\n The main reasons people avoid car maintenance can be broken down into the four areas above. Let\u2019s take a look at each of these reasons.<\/p>\n 1. It Costs Too Much<\/strong><\/p>\n This might be the biggest reason most people avoid maintenance until they have no other choice. For those on a tight budget, it\u2019s understandable that you don\u2019t want to pay for anything you don\u2019t have to. Avoiding maintenance, however, could mean the difference between a very costly breakdown and nothing more than maintenance costs.<\/p>\n For example, if you decide that you\u2019re going to skip a certain maintenance program, it could be that the mechanic would have found that rotten lower radiator hose before it blew out. When the hose blew, you weren\u2019t aware of any problem until the \u201chot\u201d light came on your dash. By the time you pulled over, the car would barely run. Now, instead of looking at a simple maintenance bill, you need to pay for blown head gaskets AND the radiator hose that would have been found during your last inspection.<\/p>\n We aren’t making a case for fear-mongering, but we see cases like the above scenario all too often. Someone once said, \u201cYou can pay now or pay more later\u201d and, unfortunately, this is very true.<\/p>\n 2. It Takes Too Long<\/strong><\/p>\n A majority of people have come to rely on their vehicles for almost everything. From picking up the kids from school, shopping, commuting, our vehicles play a significant part in our daily lives. This means that leaving your vehicle for the day, or even part of a day, can feel like a big hassle.<\/p>\n This is why My Mechanic offers a free shuttle service so you can get to work. We also offer free rides to the Elmhurst Metro station. You can also take advantage of our after-hours drop-off service. We understand that there are other things you want\/need to do, so we will do our best to accommodate you, so you are inconvenienced as little as possible.\u00a0We also understand that some maintenance items are multi-day repairs and My Mechanic can help with a loaner vehicle during those repairs. Our team can help you navigate the best option to keep your life moving.<\/p>\n Want to know what’s more inconvenient than leaving your vehicle to be serviced? A breakdown on the side of the road. Ugh. No one has time for that!<\/p>\n 3. My Car Runs Fine\/This Isn\u2019t Really Necessary\/This is Just a Way to Make Money<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019ve heard the phrases above and more. It\u2019s always surprising to us that people understand the need to wash clothes or dishes (which could be considered maintenance) but they don\u2019t think their vehicle requires anything until it stops working.<\/p>\n Every vehicle on the road undergoes some very intensive and extensive research from manufacturers. There are reasons behind their recommendations for service. Regular maintenance isn’t a way to get more cash from the consumer but rather, to keep your vehicle running at its best and prevent a breakdown.<\/p>\n Many car parts and fluids wear out or become less effective over time, including engine oil, filters, tires, brakes, hoses, and belts. Inspecting and\/or replacing them before they stop working is the cheapest insurance you can buy to prevent a breakdown.<\/p>\n 4. I Just Didn\u2019t Think About It\/I Forgot<\/strong><\/p>\n With today\u2019s busy lifestyle, it\u2019s easy to forget about routine maintenance and your eyes quit seeing that little sticker on the windshield that should remind you about your next oil change\/maintenance service.<\/p>\n You might want to put your cell phone calendar to use. While everyone\u2019s driving habits are different, you might want to put a reminder on your phone every 3 months, for example, to check your mileage and see if it\u2019s time for a service.<\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t sure when your vehicle needs service, the pros at My Mechanic will be happy to tell you the mileage intervals for your vehicle or you can check your owner\u2019s manual.<\/p>\n