Factory Maintenance Overview
Owning a car is one of the greatest conveniences of modern life. It is also a responsibility – you have to make sure that you have regular inspections, keep your insurance up to date, renew your registration, and more. You also have to have your car regularly serviced, and if you are smart, you will do it in accordance with your vehicle manufacturer’s factory maintenance recommendations. Now, why is this important, and how often do you have to do it?
First of all, we will deal with the “why.” Your car was designed and made in order to operate in a certain way, and that could be different from the ways in which other vehicles, by other manufacturers, are made to work. Your vehicle manufacturer has devoted years, and perhaps even decades, to determining the right maintenance schedule for your car. If you neglect your factory maintenance, major components could fail, and that could lead to very expensive repairs.
So, are there any general rules? Well, as a rule of thumb, we recommend that you consult your owners’ manual. If you do not have one, you can still come and see us at Escondido German Auto. We have access to all the owners’ manuals for all makes and models, and can help you to determine what needs to be done, and how often it should be done. Generally speaking, though, you should do the following:
- Have your car serviced at every 30,000 miles. In other words, see us at 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, 90,000 miles – you get the idea.
- Every two years, have your air filter, cabin air filter and engine oil changed, and also have your tires rotated and your brake fluid flushed.
- Have your transmission fluid changed every 100,000 miles.
Now, if your car or truck sees heavy duty, meaning that you off-road, drive in extreme temperatures or in very dusty conditions, you should have your factory maintenance done more often. If you drive no more than 12,000 miles in the run of a year, and don’t do any “stop and go” driving, then you can probably get by with a little less often.
It is always best, though, to err on the side of caution. If you think you might be due for some factory maintenance, then come and see us at Escondido German Auto. We will not recommend service that you do not need.
Contact Us
For routine factory maintenance, call Escondido German Auto at 760-741-3905, or book an appointment using the form on our Contact Us page. We are located at 1554 E. Grand Ave., Escondido, CA 92027, and we are here to assist you with all your factory maintenance needs.