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What Does Car Maintenance Include?

As a conscientious driver, you may be concerned with understanding what systems of your vehicle should be included in good car maintenance. The answer to the question, "What does car maintenance include?" lists below the following systems that need regular maintenance:

  1. Windshield Wiper Blades
  2. Battery
  3. Brake Pads
  4. Accessory Drive Belt
  5. Coolant Hoses
  6. Air Filter
  7. Tires
  8. Oil Changes

It's important that these items be checked and serviced at regular intervals, sometimes changed when they have been worn sufficiently. Here are some tips to keep your car running at its optimum level.

Good vehicle maintenance means your windshield wiper blades should be replaced once or twice a year. If your blades start to shred, or start making unusually loud noises when in use, it may be time to replace them with newer more pliant wipers. When the blades are exposed to excessive heat or cold for months on end the rubber may stiffen and no longer wipe water off the glass.

Change your battery at least every five years. Brake pads should be changed approximately every 50,000 miles driven. If, however, you're a driver who rides with the brakes pressed, you may need to replace your pads more often. Regular vehicle maintenance also requires you to replace your drive belt every 50,000 miles. If you're like some drivers, you may not know what a drive belt is. On today's cars, the drive belt is the one belt that operates many parts including the alternator, the water pump, the power steering pump, the air pump and the A/C compressor. If you want these things to keep working without a hitch keep your drive belt in good condition.

Good car maintenance also includes replacing the coolant hoses every 75,000 miles. The most commonly talked about coolant hose is the one leading to the radiator, but many are distributed throughout the engine and they're all important. Air filters should be replaced about every 30,000 miles. These are usually changed with your oil. Lastly, those well-used tires need to be replaced about every 45,000 miles depending upon the wear.

Wondering what car maintenance includes for your vehicle? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Kestner Automotive today for more information about the vehicle maintenance schedule and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in Columbia, SC, and the surrounding area.
