When your vehicle rolls off the assembly line it will require regular maintenance, starting after 5000 to 8000 kms. Putting off this maintenance will only cost you more in the long run.

Your vehicle’s brake system is included. During manufacture no external lubricants are applied to reduce costs. After a harsh winter, corrosion causes moving brake parts to seize up. This will cause premature wear. Have your brakes inspected twice a year or every 15000 kms. Annual servicing keeps the brake parts moving, minimizing wear and maximizing performance. Even if the brakes seem to work fine, have them inspected. It will save you money. Remember maintenance costs far less than repair.

We always think about changing the engine oil but what about all the other fluids? Fresh fluid minimizes wear and tear and prolongs the life of the component housing the fluid. Let’s talk money. The transmission is a vital part of any vehicle. Replacement costs vary from $2000 to $10,000. A complete fluid exchange costs on average $165 to $250 depending on fluid type and quantity. By spending an average of $330 to $500 in five years, you would dramatically extend the life of the transmission. This would be a wise decision. The same would apply for other fluid exchanges.

Todays engines are considerably more powerful and fuel efficient than those only 10 years ago. Because our driving styles are different and vehicles are driven in urban commuter traffic, they can get clogged up with harmful deposits from short trips and poor fuel quality. They all need regular maintenance to maintain peak performance. Fuel injectors need cleaning every 20,000 to 30,000 km. Intake and combustion cleaning at the same interval as well. Spark plugs also require changing well before the manufacturer interval. A little money spent on maintenance keeps engines running longer and saves you in fuel costs.

A broken timing belt can stop your vehicle instantly sometimes with catastrophic damage to the engine. Vehicle manufacturers recommend timing belt replacement at specific intervals to prevent breakdown. Significant engine damage can occur if the belt is not replaced. The major causes of timing belt failure are worn tensioners , worn pulleys and cracked or oil soaked belts. Timing belt replacement costs far less than major engine repairs. By following the manufacturer’s guide you will spend less on maintenance than repair.