It's easy to find online resources about why car maintenance is beneficial, but every once in awhile, it's a good idea to look at the benefits in a new light. Today, we're reviewing why proactive car care is a good idea by taking a look at Bob.
Bob is a fictitious entity. He's an everyman with a relatively modern car that he uses to drive short distances daily. He commutes to his 9-5 job in Puyallup, picks up groceries, and visits local friends and establishments on weekends and evenings.
His car is around four years old and no longer protected by its factory warranty nor the maintenance plan he purchased with it. Their expiration is a bit of a letdown, but not a surprise. The manufacturer wasn't going to protect the car forever, and while the maintenance plan was nice, it also had an agreed upon end date.
While the car was under the maintenance plan, Bob had taken advantage of the oil and filter changes, fluid top offs, and regular checkups he was entitled to under it.
But now that preventive maintenance will cost him more than his time, he's not as particular about it. In fact, he questions the value of car maintenance vs repairing issues when they happen.
Lt's see what happens if Bob avoids car maintenance for a few years:
Increased Wear & Tear: Without routine oil changes, the engine oil in Bob's car becomes dirty and loses its lubricating properties, leading to increased friction and wear on the engine components. If Bob runs his car long enough without an oil change, it will eventually turn into a thick, dark sludge that can kill the engine.
Short Lived Tread: Next, Bob decides to skip wheel alignment inspections. Slowly, and unbeknownst to him until the symptoms become more noticeable, Bob's commutes and occasional trips out of town have altered the alignment of his car. Those pot holes he hit a little hard also weren't that kind to his car's alignment. Now, miles of driving with a misaligned car have resulted in uneven treadwear and poor handling. Shortly, Bob finds himself spending both time and money on a new pair of shoes for his car and a wheel alignment.
High Operating Costs: Bob's car consumes more fuel and requires more frequent repairs due to an accumulation of issues. In fact, he almost lost his car to overheating because he forgot to have the coolant checked and it was almost empty. At one point, a clogged air filter also caused problems, resulting in Bob needing a whole new blower motor.
Sudden Breakdowns: Bob hasn't been stranded due to a critical component, like the alternator belt or coolant hose, failing just year. If his anti-maintenance stance continues, however, it could happen in the future. Many automotive systems work together, so neglecting maintenance in one area can have an effect on other areas. By neglecting maintenance in all areas, Bob is putting himself at greater risk for unexpected car issues and expenses. And it's not jus him. Anyone who rides with Bob is also at risk.
Less Safe Performance: One day, Bob notices that it takes longer for his car to stop. He has to step on the brake pedal longer to get his car to pull to a stop. He believes he can drive just fine with the reduction in brake performance, but a friend who works in auto insurance yells at him about it, and he decides to visit the auto repair shop.
Poor Trade-In & Sale Value: Bob is tired of the extra time and money he is spending on this car and decides to sell his vehicle. However, the trade-in value isn't what he expected for a vehicle purchased less than ten years ago. He tries to sell it privately, but potential buyers keep asking about the maintenance history and think his price is too high.
Bob decides to keep the car and start taking care of it around its eighth year. He has a mechanic change the fluids, repair everything that needs it, and assess its overall condition. His New Year's resolution is to visit 15th Street Automotive in Puyallup, Washington regularly, so his car has the best opportunity to provide him a long service life.
Ultimately, Bob finds that preventive maintenance costs him less in the long run:
Bob had run into everything from minor inconveniences to major safety issues and financial losses by not taking care of his car. When parts failed or triggered warning lights, it was frequently at the worst time, cutting into the hours that Bob had to hang out with friends or see a movie. It also wasn't fun paying for an oil change and wheel alignment before the holidays. If Bob had followed his car's maintenance schedule, he would have known when each service was recommended and had the time to budget for each. And he won't forget when he almost hit a pedestrian due to issues with the brake and brake fluid.
Today, Bob believes it's best to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule to keep his car reliable. safe, and valuable. When he hits the road now, it's never with a concern that something unexpected will get in his way.
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