Sometimes we hear people in say, "What's up with all this maintenance stuff? Modern cars just don't break down." While it is true that today's vehicles are extremely reliable, they are also becoming more complicated than ever before. All that complexity demands higher tolerances for everything. For example, most drivers don't realize how high-tech automotive fluids have become - fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant and brake fluid.
Today's automotive fluids contain a much higher percentage of additives to protect your vehicle's components from premature wear and corrosion. Please don't think we're using scare tactics to get you to take care of your maintenance - but here are some personal stories we've heard to emphasize and show how important it is to get things done when they are due. Names are withheld to avoid embarrassment to those who should know better. Even though they should know better, it usually comes down to real life: time and money.
The first comes from someone who bought a used pick-up truck for his son. The oil was clean and all the fluids were topped off. A short time later, the truck overheated and shut down. The repair shop diagnosed the problem: the radiator was corroded and dumped the coolant. Even though the coolant level was correct, it was clear that the coolant had never been completely replaced - just topped off from time to time. While this kept the engine cool, all of the anti-corrosion additives had worn out; the coolant became acidic and ate through the radiator pan. The cost: hundreds of dollars and four days in the shop. This demonstrates the need to get your coolant exchanged on schedule.
Next: a teenage daughter and a curb. Daddy's little girl smacked a curb and popped the tire. The problem came when Dad didn't get an alignment. The impact was hard enough to ruin the tire - and it was enough to wreck the vehicle alignment. But instead of an alignment after the first tire, Papa ended up buying a second tire a few months later - and then an alignment.
The team at I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service in Falconer recommends taking care of little things before they become big things. And when you take care of the little things, you can make your car run better and save yourself money in the long run. Remember to save those maintenance records. It'll show potential buyers that you've taken care of your vehicle and it will help you get a better price. Or when you buy a used car, check those records. If there aren't any, assume that the maintenance hasn't been done and take it to I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service in Falconer for an inspection. Take care of unperformed routine maintenance sooner rather than later.
I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service
1739 Lindquist Drive
Falconer, New York 14733
716-665-2501