The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Regular vehicle maintenance is incredibly important, but many car owners don’t make the time (or have the funds) to keep up with it. Let’s take a look at just how important regular maintenance is to the operational health of your vehicle.

The Cost of Vehicle Maintenance

There are several costs associated with owning a car in addition to paying on the loan. Money needs to be budgeted in for car insurance, gasoline, and regular vehicle maintenance – the latter of which is often overlooked or purposely avoided until the lack of care leads to the inevitable breakdown or costly repair. Here are several items that need to be budgeted in to ensure that your car continues running smoothly and operating properly.

Oil & Filter Change

An oil and filter change should be done around every 3 months or 3,000 miles, and can typically cost anywhere from $25-75, depending on oil type and quantity. Your engine oil is your car’s lifeblood, and this too-often overlooked piece of routine maintenance is essential to your vehicle’s health.

Integrity offers oil changes for only $14.95 for the life of the car – a price well under the industry norm.

New Tires & Rotation

Your tires have a tendency to wear unevenly, so tire rotation (moving them from one wheel to another) is key is prolonging the life of your tires.

The tread on your tires will wear down every 3-4 years if you drive the typical number of miles (12,000-15,000 miles per year). When this happens, they’ll need to be replaced. Most places offer some sort of a discount if you purchase all four tires at once, and some will also rotate your tires for free if you purchased the tires from them.

Periodic Major Maintenance

All vehicles require larger maintenance every few years or several thousand miles. Consult your manual for specific mileage recommendations for service. Here are a few of the major service requirements as your vehicle approaches 60K, 90K, and 120K miles.

• Timing and Serpentine Belt inspection and replacement
• Spark Plugs and Plug Wires replacement
• Filter replacement
• Brake service
• Transmission check and replacement

The Danger of Ignoring Maintenance Needs

A recent study by AAA found that one-third of American drivers did not have the means to afford an unexpected vehicle repair. While the price of regular maintenance may be discouraging for some, the alternative is sure to be costlier in the long run. For instance, skipping regular oil changes can save you pennies compared to the price of repairing catastrophic engine failure due to lubricant breakdown.

A good way to help avoid costly repairs from sneaking up on you is to ensure that your vehicle is receiving its recommended maintenance at the recommended times.

The Heartland Service Plan

Integrity Auto Finance’s Heartland Service Plan is a real service warranty plan that is approved and licensed by the State of Oklahoma Insurance Department. It covers all major components of your vehicle, including engine, transmission, electrical and fuel systems, cooling system, and air conditioning.

At Integrity, we’re committed to keeping you on the road with a safe and operational vehicle that you’re proud to drive. Our $14.95 oil changes help keep you up-to-date on your maintenance, while our Heartland Service Plan gives you peace of mind on the road.