NEGLECTING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
More cars find their way to the junkyard by neglecting basic scheduled
maintenance than any other cause. This list includes such things as neglecting oil
changes and transmission services, driving too long on the same set of
sparkplugs, ignoring check engine lights and charging system or temperature
gauges that indicate trouble, turning a deaf ear to brake squeals, belt squeals,
clanking, banging, and clunking.
Think about this: Airlines have aggressive maintenance checks on their planes
based on how many hours they have been in the air. Ocean liners and submarines
keep a full-time maintenance crew on hand at all times to attend to mechanical
problems as they crop up. Race teams have a pit crew on hand during the race to
ensure the vehicle continues to deliver peak performance safely throughout the
event.
What makes those of us who drive a car every day think we are immune to
mechanical breakdown? And what makes us think that we can drive our vehicles
indefinitely without regular maintenance? Our cars need maintenance checks to
ensure that they run safely and efficiently. There are an untold number of
accidents that occur as a result of mechanical problems that were caused by
neglect of basic maintenance issues. And there are many more cases of massive
and unnecessary repair costs for the same reason.
A lot of people think that if the car runs, why spend money on it? If there’s no
obvious problem, wait until there is and then fix it. If you think like this, you are
being pennywise and pound-foolish. In your lifetime you are spending far more
money on cars than the guy who does what it takes to maintain a healthy car.
Compare it to the physical health of your body. In the past, people used to go to
a doctor only when they were sick. Today we know that preventative care has
improved the quality of life as well as extended the length of life. And it costs
less money! Insurance companies want to pay for yearly checkups because
problems can be diagnosed early before they cost an arm and a leg to treat. Cars
are no different. Follow the suggested maintenance schedule for your vehicle
and you will get longevity, peak performance, and efficient operation out of your
chariot.