A major component of the work of fire departments is not aggressive fire fighting but rather fire prevention. In the same way preventative maintenance of being a car owner or driver does not cost – it pays. Anything that you can catch ahead of time – worn brakes, worn belts, engine oil and transmission routine changes, radiator flushes are preventative maintenance that will save you cash and reduce your automotive running costs and budget. It is very simple anything that you can catch ahead of time and nick in the bud will be a lot simpler and costly to fix or repair.

Regular inspection and routine maintenance of your vehicle – be it car, truck or S.U.V., can and will prevent, in the vast majority of cases, major and very expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance means doing certain service and maintenance jobs on a car on a regular and scheduled basis, before there are signs of trouble what so ever. Some motorists take it so far that like aircraft maintenance routines – they replace auto parts as per the factory owner’s manual recommendations ahead of any failure of the part or even need of replacement. These auto owners will insist that by replacing parts by schedule not by wear , that at the end of the driving year they are way ahead of the game both in terms of vehicle and engine reliability , lack of interruptions of service and inconveniences , and cost and budget as well.

True there are many good and valid reasons for preventative maintenance, but amazingly the most important reason is to prevent roadside accidents.

According to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, more than 60 % of the automotive vehicles in the US are running inefficiently. Inefficient cars waste time, money and fuel gasoline. They are also more than a major cause of highway accidents and collisions. It is estimated that more than one of eight accidents on American roads and highways involve a vehicle that is not in proper working order , up to snuff, resulting in many needless deaths yearly as well as even many more serious injuries each and every year on North American roads and highways.

So while most auto owners and motorists will think of routine maintenance and upkeep of their vehicles as having benefits in terms of reliability , keeping their vehicles in better stead , resale value and the brighter of them may put it together as a package or reduced overall maintenance upkeep costs those ahead of the curve will realize that on top of all the other benefits of planned routine servicing and maintenance of their vehicles that they are way ahead of the pack in auto safety for themselves , their families and passengers.

The example and parable used to be told by one most experienced and successful auto dealership owner who started his career in the automotive trade as but a body shop man. He would advise his staff to always ask customers who were in line with their vehicles at the service departments. Always ask customers and point out upcoming needs. “Sir I happened to notice that your tire tread is low and perhaps in the next 10,000 miles you might want to replace this tire for the safety of your family” or “sir you might want to jot down in your mind a mental note that…..”. He would tell his staff that if you were doing a legitimate and sincere service that the vast majority of customers will be truly appreciative. This is the case today – the service shops at this chain of dealerships generally have a backlog of customers and service work. Indeed customers recommend their friends and family and as well are noted for bring tech service writers Christmas cards and the occasional bottle of homemade wine.

Author Bio: Robert C.C. Lamb Edmonton Alberta Dodge Chrysler Sebring 50 Years Service Automotive Industry Capital Car Carriers