Maintenance on My Mind

Ask any Alberta man or woman if they’ve taken their vehicle in for preventive maintenance lately, and the answer may well be “no.” Surveys indicate that over 80% of vehicles on the road today are in need of some kind of repair or maintenance. Now, ask that same person why he hasn’t taken his car in for care. The answer will probably be that he forgot or that he just didn’t think about it. Most Alberta residents seem to have a hard time remembering about scheduled maintenance for their vehicles. Funny, because most of us in Alberta have no trouble remembering to wash our clothes, mow our lawns or brush our teeth. It isn’t that we can’t remember to take our vehicles for service; it’s a matter of making it a priority. When it comes to our vehicles, Alberta drivers like myself, need to be a little more maintenance-minded. The fact is, we can choose to do it, or we might find ourselves being compelled to do it. For example, when we consistently forget to brush our teeth, a major consequence usually follows. The pain of that experience usually compels us to be more mindful of our teeth and take better care of them. The same goes for our vehicles. If we ignore them long enough, a painful experience is sure to follow—painful for our pocketbooks, that is. People in Alberta who have gone through that experience are usually more conscientious about proper car care. So, if you’re not a fan of the school of hard knocks, at least when it comes to vehicle maintenance, remind yourself to look after your car. Pay attention to the little oil change tag on your windshield. When it’s time take your car in, do it. But don’t just change the oil. Get a full-service oil change at Lube Town. Your technician will then check all of your fluids. He can advise you if any of them need to be changed or if any of them are low. Low fluid levels can indicate leaks or a worn hose or seal, so they can check those for you as well. Other signs of wear are also immediately evident when you get a full-service oil change, such as a cracked serpentine belt or corroded battery cable. Your Lube Town technician will also check the vehicle manufacturer’s service recommendations for your vehicle and advise you of any other routine service that is coming due. It’s like a one-stop shop for auto advice that will keep you on top of your vehicle’s maintenance. If there is more to be done than the budget allows, you can get a picture of what needs to be done.  Then, create a plan with your Lube Town service advisor and budget for it during the coming months. It’s a whole lot less painful than unexpected car repairs. Vehicles are more reliable than they ever have been. They can take a lot of abuse and neglect. But they’re also expensive and complicated machines. Alberta drivers can’t expect them to run forever without proper fluids and filters. Preventive maintenance at Lube Town in Alberta will improve the reliability and life expectancy of your vehicle, as well as ensuring your safety on the road in Calgary & Okotoks. Have a hard time remembering when your oil change is due?  Lube Town offers free text message reminders so you won’t miss an oil change. lubetown.com