Who's in Better Health, Your Car Or You?

When was the last time you went in for a checkup? You might not think about it often, but just like our own health, our cars need regular healthcare too!

They need regular tune-ups to keep them running properly. And just like us, if we neglect their needs, they'll eventually break down.

While it may start as a small problem, it can quickly turn into something major if left unchecked. This is why regular car maintenance is so important.

Cars need oil changes, tune-ups, new tires, and other services to keep them running properly. Depending on the make and model of your car, you might need different types of maintenance.

Always reference your manufacturer's owners manual to see what they recommend as well as an expert mechanic to  get the best service for your car.

Get Yourself And Your Car Out Of The House

One of the best ways to keep your car running properly is to take it out of the garage and drive it on a regular basis. This helps to keep all the parts working correctly and prevents them from rusting or seizing up. It’s also a good idea to take your car on a long drive every now and then to keep

Heed The Warning Signs

Your car will usually give you some warning signs that it's time for maintenance before it completely breaks down. For example, the check engine light might come on, or you might hear a strange noise coming from the engine. These are both signs that something is wrong and that you should take your car in to be serviced.

Follow Your Recommend Scheduled Maintenance

Every car is different, and each one has its own specific maintenance schedule. This schedule is put in place by the manufacturer and is based on the car's design and how often it needs various services.

For example, some cars need their oil changed every 3,000 miles while others can go much longer between oil changes when using synthetic oil. This is just one example, but there are many different types of maintenance that need to be performed on a car, and the schedule varies from one make and model to the next.

Get Regular Inspections

In addition to following your car's scheduled maintenance, you should also get regular inspections. These are typically done once a year, but they can be done more often if you drive often or put a lot of miles on your car.

During an inspection, a mechanic will take a close look at all the major components of your car to make sure they're in good shape and working properly. This can help prevent small problems from turning into big ones.

Did The Light Flash Before Your Eyes?

Don't ignore that pesky “Check Engine.” light. It has been known to come on for lots of different reasons, but the best thing to do is not take a chance. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, or it could be something more serious like a problem with the engine. Either way, you won't know until you have it looked at

The Road Less Traveled.

Do you ever feel that your car is vibrating more than usual or that the steering isn’t as responsive as it used to be? These could be signs of a problem with the suspension, which is something that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

A car's suspension system is what helps keep the ride smooth, so if it's not working properly, it can make for a very bumpy ride. As a matter of fact, driving on a bad suspension can actually do damage to the tires and other parts of the car, so it's best to get it fixed as soon as possible.

The bottom line is you shouldn't feel like you're going on an off-road trail every time you get into the car.

No Smoking Zone

When it comes to cars , “smoke” is never a good sign. If you see exhaust smoke, it means there's a problem with the engine. The color of the smoke can give you a clue as to what the problem might be.

For example, blue smoke usually indicates an oil leak, while white smoke is usually an indication of a coolant leak. Black smoke is usually due to a problem with the fuel system, such as too much fuel being burned.

If you see any type of smoke coming from your car, it's best to take it in to be checked out as soon as possible.

Be Sensitive And Listen To Your Car's Computer

Cars nowadays have sensors that tell you when to change your oil, as well as other fluids. These are there for a reason, so don't ignore them.

When In Doubt Get Checked Out.

It's funny how your own health  is always the last thing you think about. The same can be said for your car. Just like your body, cars need check-ups to make sure everything is functioning properly.

If you're ever unsure about something, or if something just doesn't feel right, it's best to take your car in to be serviced.

Bad Habits Are Hard To Break

Does your car feel like it's on its last leg? Is the engine making weird noises, or are the brakes squeaking, In your mind you know that you need to replace your car soon, but you don't want to spend the money. 

We'll take your old car off your hands and give you a fair price for it, whether you're buying a new or used car from us. Plus, we'll help you through every step of the process so that trading in your old car is easy and stress-free.

Are You At Risk? - It Could Be Dangerous If You Don't Recall

Have you ever gotten a letter in the mail about your vehicle having a recall? You think to yourself oh it's just junk mail and trash it. But what if that letter was legitimate and your vehicle needed a recall because of an issue with the seatbelts or airbags?

If you ignored that letter, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk in the event of an accident. So what is a recall and why do automakers issue them?

If an automaker discovers a safety issue, it will report the problem to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA investigates the issue and if it finds the problem poses a safety risk, it can order the automaker to issue a recall.

Do You Have To Pay For Recall Repairs Yourself?

Another reason people ignore recall letters is because they think they will have to pay for the repairs themselves. But that is not the case, automakers have to foot the bill for all recall-related repairs.

If you get a recall letter in the mail, don't ignore it. Bring your vehicle to a dealer and get it fixed as soon as possible. It could end up saving your life.

Do Recalls On Cars Affect Trade In Value?

According to Motor Biscuit

"A dealer may choose to offer you less for a trade-in with an open recall. But a savvy shopper can have most recalls rectified before trading. This way, recalls won’t hurt the used car’s value. Sometimes, a resolved recall can improve the value of a vehicle on the used car market. However, owning a car with a recent recall that the manufacturer has not yet solved may trap you with a low trade-in value for several months"

Regardless of how a recall notice affects your trade in value, you should still get the recall repaired as it could be a serious safety issue.

How to Check If Your Car Has a Recall

The best way to find out if your car has a recall is to enter your VIN (vehicle identification number) on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.