Factory-Recommended Maintenance: What Happens If I Don't Follow the Schedule
Undoubtedly, the most important step to protect your vehicle is to have regular factory-recommended maintenance.
However, with rising inflation and tightening budgets, it's tempting to skip an oil change or another maintenance service to save a dollar. If you take this route, you will do more harm than good. Let's explore what can happen if you do not follow your factory-recommended maintenance schedule.
What is Factory-Recommended Maintenance?
Factory-recommended maintenance services are those the manufacturer suggests you perform at specific intervals. Adhering to this schedule is one of the smartest decisions you can make. The only time you should deviate from the factory-recommended maintenance schedule is if you operate your vehicle in "extreme" conditions or utilize your vehicle for demanding tasks, such as regular towing.If you do, you should work with the mechanic at Girlington Garage to modify your schedule based on your needs. In either case, if you skip or delay having factory-recommended maintenance, you can experience:
Significantly higher repair costs
Reduced fuel efficiency
Increased safety hazards
And more
Neglecting Factory-Recommended Maintenance Can Increase Repair Costs
We get it — having an oil change, tire rotation, wheel alignment, engine tune-up or other maintenance services aren't free. Maintenance services can represent an expense. However, maintenance costs pale in comparison to the cost of auto repairs. And when you have factory-recommended maintenance, you can reduce the prevalence and extent of the ensuing repairs.Consider this: a typical oil and filter change with synthetic oil can cost anywhere from $65 to $125. But if you fail to stick to the factory-recommended maintenance schedule, you could be stuck with an exponentially more expensive repair bill. For example, if you forgo oil changes, you will be on the fast track for engine repair and replacement, which can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $4,500. Skipping oil changes can leave your engine unprotected and at risk. Without a healthy flow of oil to lubricate the engine's internal parts, heat and friction will cause your engine to self-destruct from the inside out. Fortunately, you can save yourself time and money by sticking to the factory-recommended maintenance schedule.
Skipping Factory-Recommended Maintenance Can Reduce Fuel Efficiency
Failing to stick to the factory-recommended maintenance schedule will not just increase your repair costs, it can reduce fuel efficiency. For example, old oil and aged spark plugs can cause your engine to consume more fuel to perform. Factory-recommended maintenance services, such as oil changes, will alleviate the burden on your engine and help it operate more efficiently. If you want to maximize every gallon of fuel, make sure to have regular preventative maintenance at the suggested interval.
Not Having Factory-Recommended Maintenance Can Compromise Your Safety
Your safety and your family's safety is second to none. But if you forgo factory-recommended maintenance, you could be putting those you love the most at risk. Once components experience enough wear and tear, these once-reliable parts will begin to fail, which could put you in harm's way. For instance, driving around on tires without sufficient tread will make you more prone to hydroplaning.At the same time, riding around on may-pops (excessively worn tires) can increase your chances of an untimely blowout and extend your stopping distance. This is the same for all components on your vehicle. If you fail to have service and factory-recommended maintenance, you increase the chances of untimely and potentially dangerous failure. On the other hand, staying up to date with factory-recommended maintenance can help prevent you from being stranded and bolster your safety.
Contact us for Factory-Recommended Maintenance
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to take your vehicle to the dealership for factory-recommended maintenance. Instead, our all-star team of mechanics can and will help. Our ASE-Certified mechanics can perform every and any factory-recommended maintenance your vehicle will ever need. Best of all, we can do it faster and more cost-efficiently than the dealership. As the leading auto repair center in South Burlington VT, we make maintenance and auto repair as easy and seamless as possible.
Call us at 802-247-7917, visit our shop at 2 Harbor View Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403, or schedule an appointment online.
