The first rule of owning a vehicle is to keep it maintained with frequent service checks. Like any motorized product, if it isn’t taken care of, it will cease to function efficiently, and eventually, it could stop functioning at all. Recalls also play a role in the lifespan of your car – find up-to-date information on them here. Keep the following tips on your checklist for a well-maintained Toyota.
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Fluids and Air Filters
Insufficient fluids lead to a variety of damaging issues. The main fluids to check, replenish, and replace include engine oil, coolant, transmission, and differential oils.
An air filter serves as a barrier to keep dust, dirt, and particles out of the engine. Without a filter, all the gunk would go directly into the engine. If the filter isn’t changed periodically, it will become clogged because air won’t flow smoothly. The issues resulting from a clogged air filter include diminished horsepower and fuel efficiency, a rough running engine, and the potential for the vehicle to stall unexpectedly.
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Lubrication
As vehicle parts move against each other, their grating motions can cause them to wear down. This can lead to the affected parts not functioning properly, and possibly even seizing up. Keeping parts lubricated extends the life of the parts and keeps your vehicle running seamlessly.
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Braking Pads
Keeping the brake system in tip-top condition means replacing the brake pads when needed. Your driving style, the weight of your vehicle, the integrity of the brake rotors, and the quality of your brake pads will determine how frequently brake pads will need to be changed. Driving in difficult conditions that require frequent, or constant, brake use will also increase the frequency at which your brake pads will wear down. A telltale sign of worn brake pads is a scraping or screeching sound when the brakes are applied.
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Tires
Like a good pair of shoes, tires are the foundation that carry the weight of the vehicle and provide smooth forward, backward, and turning motions. Just as the soles of shoes become worn, tires, too, are susceptible to worn tread. As the ridges on the tread wear down, the tires’ ability to “grip” the road is diminished. This can lead to dangerous situations, especially in arduous weather conditions, increasing the chances your car will not perform well when you need it to most.
Checking that your tires are at their recommended pressure with an air pressure check; rotating tires frequently, helping to ensure tires wear evenly; and checking your wheel alignment, which balances tires, are all important services that will extend the life of your tires and decrease the chances of a blowout.
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Battery
Your driving habits, as well as the climate of your city, can affect the battery’s lifespan. Have the battery checked periodically to ensure it is charging properly. The results will let you know when it’s time for a replacement. Toyota also offers Priorities for Life, which can save you money in the long run – find out more about Priorities for Life here.
Motorized vehicles employ a wide array of systems, materials, and technologies to run. Sometimes repairs are simple ones you can take care of yourself – our parts department is ready to provide the genuine Toyota parts you trust to keep you safe – check out our savings here! Using these helpful tips for vehicle maintenance will keep your Toyota running at peak performance now, and for the many years and miles to come! Or better yet, make an appointment with our experienced service team at Priority Toyota Chesapeake – we’d be more than happy to give your vehicle a full-body check-up!
Image via BoneDaddy P7 | Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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