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For Future Safety: A Guide to Vehicle Maintenance

By March 24, 2017October 6th, 2020Insurance

Hands on steering wheelOne of the keys to making your car last is to regularly maintain the vehicle. Regular maintenance can help keep the car in good shape.

Maintenance also serves as a valuable safety barrier for the vehicle. If you aren’t having the car regularly serviced, critical systems could corrode. If these systems suffer a catastrophic breakdown while on the road, you could have a wreck.

No one wants to have a wreck or experience a major failure. The damages could cost thousands of dollars. They could also cause you and other driver severe injuries. Even if you carry car insurance, your policy may not cover repairs from damages caused by lack of maintenance. If you fail to keep the car in good shape, you may expose it to avoidable and unnecessary damage risks. For that reason, insurance could refuse to honor a damages claim.

For this reason, have a reputable mechanic service your car at least twice a year. Your car has many critical systems. Make sure to check these systems with each service appointment.

Engine and Gas System

Your engine and gasoline system is the lifeline of the car. It supplies power and electricity to the battery, steering and other control systems. The intricacies of this system puts it at high risks of overheating, exploding or starting a fire. Furthermore, a variety of other mechanical failures can affect the engine system.

Your mechanic can check this system thoroughly for leaks, corrosion and other risks. They can also clean and flush the system to ensure there are no blockages. If your air filter is old, you should also change it at this time.

Oil System

Your oil system keeps the engine and other systems lubricated to make sure they run smoothly. Changing the oil regularly can help prevent contamination and corrosion of vital systems. If can also help prevent dirty oil from causing fires.

Most manufacturers recommend that you change the car’s oil every 2,000 to 10,000 miles depending on the vehicle.

Heat and Air System

If your ventilation systems fail, they could cause more problems than just making you too hot or too cold.

Problems in the heating and air systems could put a fire risk on your vehicle. Malfunctioning systems may also put undue strains on other critical systems. Have your mechanic check these systems with each change of season.

Battery

You car’s battery is an important part of the car’s electrical system. The battery helps the car crank. Your running engine also supplies power to recharge the battery. If the battery isn’t functioning properly, it puts undue stress on car’s vital systems.

Furthermore, you battery will age, and will stop holding its charge. Eventually you will need to replace the battery. Make sure your mechanic checks the battery for power with every service. Also make sure the battery or connector tables don’t leak or have corrosion.

Steering and Wheel Systems

Critical failures to your wheels or steering components could lead to a loss of control.

If your vehicle has power steering, the steering fluid could become contaminated. This may cause control issues. Your wheel, spoke and balance systems may also corrode over time. Your shock protectors could also fail. If you experience unknown vibrations or control problems while driving, have someone check the steering systems. When getting maintenance, have a mechanic crawl under the car to inspect the system.

Tire and Brake Systems

Braking systems are very sensitive and complicated. If they fail, you could easily lose control. Make sure a mechanic checks under the vehicle for leaks or other signs that your brake systems may fail.

Furthermore, a vehicle’s tires regularly wear out. Certainly, if the tire leaks, you are at risk for a flat tire. But, more serious problems could cause tires to shred or burst while you are on the road.

Tires routinely lose air and pressure over time. Every so often, check your tire pressure. You can find inexpensive pressure gauges in most department stores. Add air to your tires if you get a low tire warning.

Affordable Auto InsuranceLights

The bulbs that power warning lights and your driving lights have a tendency to burn out from time to time. If any of these lights burn out, you can put your safety at risk. Your mechanic can usually check your dashboard lights to make sure they function. Don’t try to change a dashboard light because of the intricacies of that system.

You can also usually check your outside lights yourself. These bulbs are often generally easy to replace. You can buy them at most auto shops.

Maintaining your car can help prevent risks of accidents and other safety threats. It can also help you avoid pricey auto insurance claims.

Get in touch with us today. We can help you get the correct auto policy to cover you in case of an accident. Give us a call at (405) 373-2977 for more information on Oklahoma City auto insurance.