5 Maintenance Needs Car Owners Should Not Ignore

Gas prices are subject to supply and demand, but, unfortunately for drivers across the country, the price at the pump have hit all-time record highs. Paying less than $4.50 for a gallon of gas might be the norm, and in California, prices are more than $6.

Every vehicle offers a maximum fuel efficiency figure, and poor maintenance can impact a vehicle’s miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and on the highway. Here are the 5 maintenance needs that car owners should not ignore if they want to ensure their vehicle running efficiently and doesn’t waste fuel:

• Regular oil changes

• Routine tire rotations

• Air filter replacement

• Brake inspection / replacement

• Tire pressure testing

How Does Maintenance Impact Performance and Fuel Efficiency?

Proper car maintenance isn’t just essential for the safety of the driver, passengers and everyone else on the road, but servicing the car regularly can also ensure the vehicle runs efficiently and doesn’t waste gas.

When certain mechanics of a vehicle are compromised or worn down, the car has to work harder on the drive. Any drag or engine issues can impact how the car uses fuel and how much fuel it uses. In addition, driving habits also impact the amount of fuel used during the drive; faster speeds or constant idling can decrease fuel efficiency.

How Fuel Efficient is My Vehicle?

Every vehicle has data related to its fuel efficiency noted in the car’s manual. Every vehicle offers different figures related to fuel efficiency, but smaller sedans or compact cars tend to be the most fuel efficient options among the vehicles with standard fuel-injected engines.

However, hybrid vehicles will offer the most MPG in the city and on the highway. Many hybrid models tend to be the most fuel efficient in the city, which makes them an ideal choice for commuters who regularly log lots of city miles.

The fuel efficiency figures noted in a manual are the maximum miles per gallon for the vehicle. These are the figures that drivers should aim to hit. However, again, driving habits and a lack of proper maintenance could impact these figures drastically, here’s how and why maintenance matters.

Regular Oil Changes are Extremely Important

Fuel-injected engines require oil for lubrication. Most models require oil changes around every 3,000 miles, however newer models might need less frequent oil changes. Consult the car’s manual for guidance related to how often to change the oil.

In addition, cars will usually display a light on the instrument panel that alerts drivers that it’s time to change the oil. However, those who neglect this routine maintenance might also notice another light that illuminates; this light will look like an oil can that has a drip falling from its nozzle. This light is the low oil pressure light, and it is a light that drivers do not ever want to see.

The low oil pressure light is a warning that the oil level has dropped too low. This is dangerous as there could be an inadequate supply of oil to provide necessary lubrication to the engine. When this light illuminates, the car owner or driver needs to pull over immediately. Driving with low oil pressure could lead to engine damage or a destroyed engine.  

Even driving a car with old oil can be bad for the vehicle. Neglecting to change the oil when necessary could lead to poor fuel efficiency. Bell Performance explains that when the performance of the oil can be impacted by age as the oil is subjected to heat from the engine. The oil becomes thicker and the engine’s performance and the fuel efficiency will be impacted.

The most important maintenance tip for all car owners is to schedule routine oil changes on time.

Getting an Oil Change? Rotate the Tires, Too.

When car owners are scheduling a routine oil change for their vehicle, they also might want to add in a tire rotation. Rotating the tires involves moving the front tires to the back and vice versa. This ensures that all tires receive the same wear and tear.

Neglecting to rotate the tires regularly can lead to uneven wear on tires. This can impact driving and how the car moves on the road. The resistance caused from poor tire wear can lead to decreased fuel efficiency.

In addition, regular rotations can help those tires last longer. Plus, uneven wear could lead to safety issues on the road.

How often should car owners schedule tire rotations? This maintenance is needed around every 5,000 miles, but car owners should consult their manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation.

A Dirty Air Filter also Decreases Efficiency

There are many different types of air filters in the vehicle. However, the air filter under the hood helps keep debris from impacting the engine’s efficiency.

When car owners take their cars for an oil change, the mechanic also will check the fluids and air filter. If the air filter is looking grimy, car owners should opt to replace it.

A clogged and dirty air filter will decrease fuel efficiency and make the engine work harder.

Inspect the Brake Pads and the Brakes

Old brake pads will make braking more difficult. Car owners might hear a tell-tale squeak when brake pads start to wear down.

Car owners should routinely have brake pads and their brakes inspected. Not only are worn brake pads and brakes a safety hazard, but they also impair the vehicle’s performance. Car owners should focus less on any issues related to fuel efficiency and more on the fact that poor brakes could lead to an accident.

The good news, though, is that new brake pads might last for around 30,000 miles. Again, though, car owners need to routinely have brakes checked; some wear down faster than others. In addition, driving habits also can cause faster wear and tear on those brakes.

Test the Tire Pressure

Many modern vehicles include tire pressure warnings that appear on the car’s digitized instrument panel when pressure drops too low. Sometimes tire pressure can drop during extremely cold temperatures, and these drops could just be temporary.

Over time, though, tires might lose air. A tire also could have a slow leak that causes the pressure to drop. When the vehicle shows that pressure in one or more tires is low, car owners need to inflate the tire to the recommended pressure. Tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi); the standard pressure for most tires is around 32 psi.

A pressure gauge can be used to measure the pressure after inflating the tire. If the pressure is too high, just release a bit of air until the pressure is at the recommended level.  

Those who aren’t comfortable inflating a tire manually also can take the car into a service center. However, driving on tires with low pressure can cause more resistance and possibly lead to decreased fuel efficiency.

Other Service Needs Depend on Mileage

Most routine services for vehicles correlate to mileage milestones. While there are several basic maintenance needs that cars require more frequently, it’s important that car owners understand the maintenance schedule of their car as the odometer climbs higher.

Kelley Blue Book (KBB) offers a comprehensive list of the most common maintenance needs for cars. KBB doesn’t outline the schedule by mileage but by years. For example, in two years, KBB notes that spark plugs should be checked (this is around 30,000 miles) and the transmission fluid also will need to be changed.

Car owners should get into the habit of yearly service inspections. This can ensure they stay on top of any maintenance needs to maximize both the car’s performance and how efficiently it uses every drop of fuel.

Proper Maintenance is Part of the Cost of Vehicle Ownership

Caring for a vehicle is part of the cost and responsibility of owning a vehicle. Routine inspections and service appointments should be budgeted as part of the cost of ownership.

When buying a vehicle, it’s important to consider the need for routine maintenance and even possible repairs. Splurging on a more expensive vehicle under the assumption that the car payment is the only real expense of the car could lead to the owner being blindsided for all those extra costs. When shopping for a new or used car, consider all the needs for owning that vehicle and budget accordingly.

Use Carzing to Find the Best Vehicles.

Car buyers can visit Carzing to search for cars by make/model, price or body type. Buyers also can refine their search by using an additional toolbar to select specific criteria for their car including color, drivetrain and special equipment, too.

When buyers find their ideal vehicle, they also can use Carzing to get pre-qualified for financing. Just enter data related to housing expenses and work history, and Carzing will display all the loan options for which the individual might qualify.

Find the loan with the lowest monthly payment, best terms or lowest interest rate. Print out a voucher with the financing details and take it to a dealership to move forward with a credit application and, ideally, finalize the deal on the new car.

With Carzing, buyers are in the driver’s seat of their search for a new car and their financing options, too!