Living in South Florida (Palm Beach Gardens) and with the Economy slowing down many people are opting to keep their vehicles longer, including your Favorite Mortgage Broker. With the temperature rising it is a sure tell tail sign that Summer is coming and maintain our vehicles is important. Along, with Gas prices at record highs and know sign of relief, is your Car or Truck at peak performance?
Many people believe in just changing the oil for maintenance but the truth is their is much more to do than just oil changes. If you have an older vehicle ask your Tech if a 20/50 weight oil is advised. Also, on your next Oil change make sure to check your air filter. If your car or truck has to work harder to get the oxygen to the engine your gas mileage will suffer as a result. Another recommendation for those of us who have fuel injection systems (almost everyone now) when was the last time they where serviced? By keeping them clean and operating at peak performance you will see how you get better gas mileage as-well.
Newer vehicles have 100,000 mile spark plugs. However, if you read the fine print you will see UP TO 100,000 miles. Have your spark plugs checked by a professional Tech and at the same time maybe a tuneup could be advised. Make sure all your cables and connections are good because with faulty or deterring cables you will suffer gas mileage. Remember if the engine has to work harder your gas mileage will suffer.
As many of us who live in South Florida know the heat in summer is stifling. How do you think your vehicle feels? Make sure your radiator is serviced as well. The last thing you want to be is on the side of the road in this heat.
In closing, living in South Florida and with our Economy hit hard many of us our keeping our cars and trucks much longer than normal. Make sure your vehicle is up for the task.
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Matthew - I continue to try to maintain my car, though my knowledge of cars runs about as thin as Ted Danson's hairline. I am a walking fool myself, I only drive from my house to work and back...and occassionally to the store. You are right though, proper maintenance can go a long way in keeping your car in good working order.
I'm always on top of that...I own one car and the other is leased so I always make sure the treads on the tires are good...all the filters...etc and the oil is changed frequently...if you change the oil regularly then the rest will most likely not be a problem...the oil is the blood of the car.
Keep them fiters,tires & oil changed and all is good! :) Nobody makes 100K plugs...(pipe dream)
Jason, what hairline?..ha ha...
Neal, You are so right it is the blood of the vehicle
Keith, I agree with you on the plugs
Mathew- That is one of the reasons that I love my Mercedes. They call me and tell me when I need to bring it in for servicing. The car also tells me! How cool is that! Gotta love it. Make it a great week. Sorry I have missed your blog. Busy selling short sales, lots of them.
Katerina, Don't you love great customer service..:-)
Matt,
My car tell's me when to take him/her to service...I'm thinking I'm due in a day or two...with the new one... Very busy as well as Katerina said...but the short sales...not me...I'm thinking of going Commercial...
Karen, Commercial is very stable. I wish you the best on that
Matthew - gone are the good old days when anybody could tune it up or change those spark plugs. Everything requires computers today and the prices for simple things are out of this world!
Bill & Barbara Jo, You are so right. Gone are the old fashion mechanic
when my engine had to work harder to provide oxygen it was a big problem.
do you think those air conditioning sytems need a look see?
Jay, In Florida? AC is our life blood. I would always check it
Great reminder. Nothing disrupts showings like a car problem. Although, once I had my car break down while showing properties and a fellow asked, "what are you guys doing here anyway?" To which I responded looking at houses. He then said, "these people are getting ready to sell." Long story short that was the house the buyer ended up purchasing. Providence.
Good post. In Georgia, auto maintenance is a must. A lot of red dust in the summer, pollen in the spring.
Try a K & N performance air filter. (Not a dealer, don't own the stock, just believe in them). It doesn't get replaced, just cleaned. Easy to install by anyone with opposable thumbs (and not afraid to get those thumbs, and fingers a little dirty). Improved the performance of my Ram 1500. Now I need to install some in my two current vehicles.
Matthew, WOW talk about fate?!..lol
Mike, I know what you mean. My sister lives in GA. Good heads up on the K & N. Thanks