National Car Care Month: Six Reasons Why Proper Vehicle Maintenance Is Important

Your vehicle is likely the second most expensive thing you’ll spend your hard-earned money on in your lifetime short of a home. Because of this large investment, you’ll want to do everything you can to keep it nice. Sure, keeping your car clean and detailed is important in keeping it nice but the biggest portion is going to be staying up to date with scheduled maintenance. Toyotas are touted as some of the most reliable cars on the market but you can fall short of this accolade if you don’t follow the maintenance schedule for your vehicle. April is National Car Care Month. Keep reading below to discover six reasons why proper vehicle maintenance is super important to the longevity of your Toyota.

Do you need to schedule service for your Toyota in Little Rock, Arkansas? Click here to schedule a service appointment at Landers Toyota! 

Minimize time between appointments

When you bring your car into service at Landers, we will put a little sticker at the top left corner of your windshield and reset your maintenance light on the dashboard. Most drivers wait until they hit that time or mileage trigger to schedule an appointment. Truth is, that’s the longest you should wait to bring your vehicle in so pay attention to that time and schedule your appointment early to avoid any premature damage.

Don’t ignore the little things

If you hear a little squeak in your vehicle or see a little puddle of fluid when you pull away from home in the morning, you may need a repair. What may be normal to your vehicle isn’t how your vehicle is supposed to operate. These small signals can often report bigger things going on. Catching smaller repairs can lead to preventing a costly repair in the future. 

Big things matter too

As soon as you notice your vehicle isn’t stopping or starting right, take it into Landers Toyota immediately. If you lose power on the road, your car can turn into a thousand-pound death trap flying down the highway and no one wants to be near that. Your safety is of utmost importance to us at Landers. If an issue is pointed out by someone with an untrained eye or ear, it’s likely our trained mechanics will be able to take care of your Toyota in a jiffy.

Vehicles with adventurous drivers might need a little extra love

It’s no secret that different drivers have different driving habits and some like to live life on the adventurous side. Drivers who take their TRD 4Runners off-road or hit the track with their new GR86 may need maintenance more often than those who only drive their Sienna to work and take the kiddos to after-school activities. Other driving conditions that qualify as excessive and extreme are frequently towing a trailer and driving on rough dirt or gravel roads. Always consult your Toyota’s owner manual for service interval times or give us a call and we can walk you through it! 

Monitor tire inflation for savings at the pump

Everyone wants to save money at the pump right about now. So many people drive with their little tire pressure light on the dash like it’s a driving award. Not having your tires at the optimal pressures can lead to decreased fuel economy and premature tire wear. Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure by looking up the temperatures in your driver’s door jam. 

Maintain your vehicle to appeal to others later

When you’re ready to sell your vehicle back to LandersBuysCars.com, you may get more money for your vehicle if you have an excellent stack of regular service records. Whether you’re trading in your vehicle to Landers or selling your vehicle to your neighbor, the difference between a well-maintained vehicle and one that’s been poorly cared for can reveal itself after a simple test drive around the block.

Finally, here are a few routine vehicle care tips 

• Test exterior lights monthly 
• Check for adequate tire pressure and tread depth 
• Change oil and oil filter on schedule 
• Check for battery corrosion 
• Replace windshield wipers 
• Keep fluids at proper levels 
• Wash vehicle regularly and apply wax 
• Listen for unusual brake noise and inspect regularly 

Make sure to take care of your Toyota’s maintenance and your Toyota will take care of you!