5 Tips to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly

Our professionally trained service technicians at Siemens Mazda know you’ve heard it all before, but that doesn’t make our tips on keeping your car running smoothly any less true! 

Regular car maintenance is one essential way you can protect yourself and your passengers, increase reliability and confidence, and make your car happy.  We should know! 

You won’t regret following up with us about these six tips to keep your vehicle operating in tip-top shape. 

Change Oil 

Your car engine is literally a “well-oiled machine.” When it’s lubricated well, the moving parts in your engine operate at an optimum level. Over time, dirt and particles from the road can corrode an engine. The old oil doesn’t flow as smoothly or easily into those nooks and crannies that so desperately need it. This causes undue friction and strain. A standard oil change removes the old sludgy oil and the dirt and grime from the engine, replacing it with new oil ready to meet the demands of the road for another few thousand miles.   

Here’s another quick tip on oil changes. Most vehicles come with a factory recommended oil for optimization of the engine. Don’t skimp and buy cheap, substandard oil. It just doesn’t lubricate as well. For just a few dollars more, you can extend the life of your engine by opting for the factory recommended oil. It’s well worth it in the long run. 

Recommended change: Every 3000 miles 

Change Air Filter 

Does it feel as though the service technician always asks, “When was the last time you changed your air filter?” It’s probably because in our experience, this is the one thing customers typically skip when they’ve brought their car in for maintenance. 

For each gallon of fuel burned, the engine uses up to 10,000 gallons of air. The air filter protects your engine’s pistons and cylinders from tiny bits, pieces, and particles as it uses that air.  

Clogged air filters can reduce airflow to the engine, literally choking it. This will hamper fuel efficiency as well as emissions. It’s a fast change at little cost, so changing the air filter regularly is well worth your time and money. 

Recommended change: Every 12,000-15,000 miles, more if you drive over particularly dirty or dusty roadways.

Keep Fluids Checked 

Typically, your service technician will check your fluid levels during a routine maintenance appointment. You just need to make the routine maintenance appointment! Your car requires more than just an oil change. Have your service technician check radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, air conditioner coolant, and washer fluid. 

Recommended check: Every 3000 miles

Rotate Tires 

Rotating your tires means that you move the tire from one wheel to another or from front to back, right to left, or even diagonally. This rotation is intended to prevent the tires from wearing unevenly. 

If you don’t rotate your tires, the outside edges on a tire will typically wear down faster than the rest. That means you’ll have to replace the tires much sooner than you would have otherwise. 

The service technician will typically do three things during a tire rotation: 

• Remove each tire and wheel and move it to a different position. 
• Check air pressure and adjust as necessary 
• Check the brakes 

Rotating the tires properly ensures the longest life possible for the tire.  It also makes your ride smoother and handling safer. 

Recommended change: Every six months or 6000 – 8000 miles 

Change Ragged Wiper Blades

Windshield wipers are critical to overall safety and visibility. 

Most folks don’t change their windshield wiper blades until they are not working properly.  Even then, they may not think to change them until they really need them, and then it’s too late. 

In extreme temperatures like intense heat or winter snow, the thin rubber of the blades wears out quickly. The first thing customers tend to notice are streaks on the windshield, a squeaking sound when in use, reduced visibility, or a skipping motion across the windshield. 

It’s a good idea to have your service technician take a look at your wipers during your scheduled oil change. Then you will have the best blade available – right when you need it.

Recommended checkup: During scheduled maintenance or oil change

The service technicians at Siemens Mazda are specially trained in Mazda makes and models. We know exactly what to do to keep your vehicle running at its best. With service specials and appointment times available to suit your schedule, there is no reason NOT to schedule your maintenance with us today!