​​Used Car Maintenance Items​

Keeping your used car properly maintained will not only make it drive consistently better but also reduce the risk of incurring costly repairs from deferred service or outright neglect. Because it’s a used car, you want to avoid spending more money when taking it to the manufacturer’s dealership. Instead, you’d like to find a trusted independent mechanic like the ones at Alderman Automotive that will save you money and give you a personalized touch that’s hard to get at larger new car dealers.  

Keep A Maintenance Checklist 

To keep your car in good condition, it’s best to be proactive and keep it on a maintenance schedule. This means understanding how many miles you’ve driven your car since it’s had an oil change, tire rotation, fluid flush, etc.  

Oil Changes 

Most modern vehicles have recommended oil change service intervals of anywhere from 5,000-15,000 miles. However, with a high mileage interval, it is always best to cut that in half as the vehicle ages. For instance, if your car says it needs an oil change every 15,000 miles, like many European models do, you should be changing your engine’s oil and filter at 7,500 miles. If an oil service is recommended every 5,000 miles, that’s a good interval to stick to. There isn’t much need to change your oil before 3,000-5,000 miles these days, unless you’re driving your car really hard, especially on a racetrack. This will ensure the engine stays properly lubricated and prevents excessive engine wear on expensive parts like the pistons, camshafts, cylinders, etc.  

Fluid Flushes 

When you buy a new-to-you car, you should always immediately have the fluids flushed, unless you have a maintenance report showing it’s been done recently before your purchase. A fluid flush will consist of a transmission fluid service, engine coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. You should have each of these services done every 30,000-50,000 miles, or no later than every 3 years. Also, don’t forget to top up your windshield washer fluid regularly. That’s one thing people tend to forget about and get annoyed when they’re out of fluid and trying to wash the pollen off their windshield.  

Tire Rotation and Wear 

When getting your oil changed, you should always ask to have your tires rotated, if possible, which would be every 5,000-7,500 miles. Alderman Automotive will check your tire tread and make sure each tire is inflated properly. However, you should also check your tire tread depth, and you can do so with a tire tread depth gauge that will run you about four or five dollars. If you don’t have a gauge, you can always check the depth with a quarter placed upside down in the groove of your tire. If you can see George Washington’s whole head, then you’re in need of new tires. Having the middle of his forehead covered by the tire tread means you’re in good shape. While this test used to be conducted with a penny, modern tires have dictated that the quarter is the better option here.  

Vehicle Alignment 

If you notice your steering wheel shaking while driving at highway speeds or when stopping, it’s probably time for an alignment. Most cars need one every couple of years, but possibly sooner, the more you drive.  

Brake Pads 

While a brake fluid flush will help keep your brakes stopping better, you still need to consider changing brake pads and rotors over time. Depending on the car and whether it’s driven primarily in the city or on the highway, your pads will need to be changed roughly every 25,000 miles up to around 65,000 miles. Most pads will have an audible squeal when they are in need of a change. Regardless, you can have a technician at Alderman Automotive take a look, or you can also buy a simple brake gauge for about $10 that’ll show you how much pad life you have left. Anything under 3mm and you will need a change. If you hear grinding noises when stopping, take your vehicle to the service department at Alderman Automotive immediately.  

Brake Rotors 

Brake rotors typically last longer than pads, closer to 50,000-100,000 miles, again, depending on how you drive. Some mechanics will recommend resurfacing or machining the rotors, which takes a thin layer of rotor material off. This is done if you have warped rotors or uneven brake wear on your pads.  

Check Your Battery! 

One thing that owners never check until it’s too late is the vehicle’s battery. The worst time to check to see if your battery’s working is when it won’t turn your vehicle on. A good rule of thumb is that most batteries last between two and five years, depending on use. If you’ve had your battery for a few years, it’s best to change it before winter arrives, just in case. You should regularly check your terminals to make sure they are free of corrosion and damage.  

Cabin and Engine Air Filters 

A cabin air filter is an often-overlooked item that helps to filter out bad and potentially harmful smells from the outside world. This should be changed roughly every 15,000-30,000 miles, which is the same as your car’s engine air filter. An engine air filter helps the car breathe quality air by collecting any bugs, debris, and the like, so it doesn’t go into your engine and do any harm. If you live in very dusty or desert-like conditions, then your filter should be changed no later than 15,000 miles.  

A Good Tune-Up 

Like anything else, an engine needs a tune-up from time to time. This consists of new spark plugs and maybe new spark plug wires/boots. Spark plugs help with your engine timing and provide a noticeable drop in fuel economy when they get old. Depending on the manufacturer, a spark plug change can vary from 30,000 miles for some vehicles, all the way up to 100,000 miles. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual should have this information, or you can type your year, make, and model into Google along with “spark plug interval” to get an understanding.  

Belts and Hoses 

Going along with a tune-up, you should always replace any belts and hoses accordingly. While hoses may take a while to degrade, you should check them for cracks and leaks. The same goes for the serpentine and A/C belts (you may not have a specific belt for your A/C system). As the belts age, they start to crack and can explode while driving, either denting your hood from underneath or damaging other parts of your engine. You should change the belts no later than every five years, or just have them checked at every oil change.  

Check Your Lights 

Most modern cars will let you know that you have a headlight or taillight out. However, it’s good practice to check your headlights and taillights a couple of times per year before you set off on your drive.  

The Owner’s Manual Is a Good Source for Information 

Your car’s owner’s manual will have all of this information for you to read and learn, as will a simple Google search. But, if you want or need more information about their service department or have general maintenance questions, you can call or go down to Alderman Automotive to get any and all answers you require.  

Why Choose Alderman Automotive  

At Alderman Automotive, we work tirelessly to give you the best possible price and service on every used car we sell, and our finance department will work within your monthly payment needs. Whether you are looking for a high-end luxury car or SUV, or if your budget is something under $15,000, we have a whole host of vehicles best suited for your wants and needs. Our state-of-the-art service department and helpful staff will ensure that your vehicle is always in the best condition possible.   

We look forward to serving you soon.