A Crash Course in Vehicle Maintenance

When it comes to taking care of your vehicle, you don't need to be a mechanic to know about the basic care that your car needs. You know that regular oil changes are recommended, as well as rotating your tires, but what else should be focused on when your vehicle is in for service? No matter where you're traveling, whether you're heading to Freedom Park with the kids or driving to work, your vehicle is responsible for delivering you to all your destinations successfully and above all else—safely. When you're searching for a service center near Charlotte, you can count on Hendrick Automotive Group to supply you with the selection of service facilities you need and the trained technicians you require to get the job done right. So, what's involved in basic maintenance? Let's get to know some of the most common vehicle maintenance services and why they're important to your ride.

What's Involved in Basic Vehicle Maintenance?

You are probably aware that taking care of your car requires more than running it through the car wash every once in a while and making sure it's full of gas. You know that certain aspects need to be checked to ensure their integrity so that you don't wind up stranded on the side of I-77 during rush hour. There are many components that lie beneath the hood of your vehicle and elsewhere that have a tendency to succumb to wear and tear over time, needing to be replaced and fixed. Keeping up with routine maintenance makes it easier to remedy an issue before it erupts into a problem that causes you stress as you attempt to make your way to Charlotte Motor Speedway to catch a race. Let's dive into the world of basic vehicle maintenance so that you can understand why each of the following services is so essential to your vehicle's overall operation.

Oil and Filter Changes

Everyone knows their vehicles need oil changes, but you may not know exactly how engine oil affects your daily drive through Charlotte. Your engine has a variety of moving parts, and in order for them to move freely, they need to be adequately lubricated, which is where oil comes into the picture. The oil helps ensure that your engine is operating efficiently so that you can enjoy enhanced performance and unbeatable fuel efficiency as you're traveling home to Windsor Park. The oil filter helps to filter out debris from the road so that it doesn't end up in your oil; however, over time, it gets clogged and will need to be swapped out for a clean filter. Failure to keep up with routine oil and filter changes can result in your engine's parts not being able to move correctly, your engine overheating, and a costly repair or replacement necessary in order for you to get back on the road.

Tire Rotations

Your tires play a vital role in keeping you controlled and safe on the road; however, each tire tends to wear out at its own rate. Your front tires may wear faster than your rear tires, causing your ride to be less stable than you would like. To counter this, having your tires regularly rotated will help ensure that each tire is wearing at relatively the same rate. Not only will this enhance traction on the roadway, but also extend the lifespan of your tires so that you can make the most of your time sailing past Irwin Creek. You'll want to have your tires routinely checked for wear and tear and replaced when needed so that you can enjoy a secure ride, no matter what type of terrain is underneath your tires.

Fluid Checks

Taking your vehicle in for basic maintenance may also include checking the various fluids that reside in your car. You'll find that components like your brakes and transmission have fluid to help them work efficiently. Engine coolant helps keep your car running at the right temperature, and windshield washer fluid helps ensure that you can see clearly, especially when someone splashes mud on your car during a summer rainstorm. Our technicians will check all the fluids in your vehicle to ensure their quality, check for leaks, and ensure they're all at the right level.

Battery Checks

Your battery is another component that needs to be checked regularly. After all, do you really want to be stuck in the parking lot of Bank of America Stadium after a Panthers game with a dead battery? In keeping up with regular battery checks, you can be alerted to whether it may be time for a new battery so that you don't end up surprised when you get into your car and try to start it.

Air Filter Replacement

There are also a variety of air filters in your car, which will need to be checked and replaced when they're clogged. Your cabin air filter helps reduce the amount of pollen, dirt, dust, and other debris from entering your interior cabin space so that you and your passengers can breathe clean air during your Charlotte travels. There's also an engine air filter to help keep your engine clean so that it continues to perform optimally as you roll past the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Replacing these regularly will help your car run smoothly.

Brake Inspection

One of the most important components of your vehicle is your brake system, and regularly checking your brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid can ensure that the entire system is operating as it should be, no matter where you're traveling. Your brake pads become worn over time and will have a more difficult time creating the friction they need with the rotors to help you come to a complete stop. These are some of the most commonly replaced parts of your braking system, and when you bring your vehicle in for basic maintenance, they'll be checked to ensure their quality.

Lighting Checks

Have you ever been behind someone on S. Mint Street with a brake light out? You don't realize how much you rely on those little lights until the car in front of you comes to a complete stop and you realize this too late. Checking all your vehicle's lighting elements is part of regular maintenance and can go a long way in ensuring you and everyone traveling around you remain safe.

Spark Plugs, Belts, Hoses, and Wipers

Other parts that will be checked to ensure their quality include spark plugs, which keep your internal combustion engine running, as well as a series of belts and hoses, which can tend to wear out over time. Your windshield wipers will also show signs of wear, and if you can't see clearly out of your windshield, this can cause a major safety concern on the road. Checking all of these small components makes a big difference in how you travel, reducing the risk of an unfortunate instance occurring while you drive.

Familiarize Yourself With Basic Vehicle Maintenance

It's obvious that there's a lot that goes into vehicle maintenance. There are many little components that add up to something big, which is how your vehicle performs on the Charlotte streets. Fortunately, having a team by your side that can help you take care of all these components can really make a difference in how you travel. By becoming in tune with how your vehicle operates, our technicians can be aware if something happens to be off in your vehicle, fixing the issue before it wreaks havoc on your ride. Basic vehicle maintenance is essential to ensuring a safe and comfortable ride from Wilmore to Optimist Park and everywhere in between.