Preventive maintenance payoffs: how a little now saves a lot later

A stitch in time saves nine. It's an expression that applies to all sorts of things and it's the cornerstone of the scheduled servicing that underpins car ownership.

Regular preventive maintenance – beyond the replenishment of vital parts, fluids and other consumables – is all about identifying and fixing small issues before they become bigger problems. In addition to ensuring your car performs as it should and reducing the risk of breakdowns, preventive maintenance can be a big money-saver.

Here, we explain why and how you can maximise your savings with preventive-maintenance checks.

Why preventive maintenance is so important

Letting a small issue fester in a car can turn into a big headache.

Take your engine. Its oil and filters naturally become dirty with use, decreasing efficiency and increasing wear, which is why both need to be regularly changed. Not doing so means worse performance, worse fuel economy and a shorter engine lifespan, as well as a greater risk of sudden mechanical failure. In addition, to help keep your engine running as well as possible, it’s best to use premium quality fuel.

The same applies to your car's mechanical, structural, electrical and other systems. If they don't get regular checks, replenishment and/or maintenance, small issues can morph into bigger and potentially very expensive ones.

How to make your money go further

Much like a business, you've got to spend money to make money, or in the case of a depreciating asset like a car, not lose quite so much. The easiest way to minimise your total car-ownership cost is by not skipping scheduled services.

While servicing has a fee and the possibility of an added cost resolving a hidden issue, the alternative is leaking cash through inefficiencies. You could also have a bigger bill if something goes bang, and your car is more likely to wear out quicker and you could take a financial hit on the resale value. Plus a fully stamped service book is always much more attractive to a potential buyer.

But wait... you can save more

While scheduled preventive servicing is good for your wallet, it's also targeted at the average owner and that can leave gaps if you use your car a little differently.

Say you only drive short trips, which is actually tougher on oil than a car that gets driven more frequently. In this scenario, shorter service intervals might be recommended to reduce oil contamination and extend engine life.

It's a similar story for a car driven regularly in dusty conditions, worked hard or used for towing – more frequent servicing might save you money in the long run.

DIY preventive servicing

Some cars need more regular servicing than others. Undiagnosed issues, meanwhile, can always pop up between services. So how can you tell if your car might need the former or, due to the latter, immediate attention?

By making sure you do regular checks of these items between services:

• Oil: Oil naturally darkens with use but if it's turning black, gritty or thickening noticeably, or being consumed more rapidly than usual, more regular oil changes could be needed. If it's milky or creamy, you've got big problems.
• Other fluids: Brake, power steering and transmission fluid levels should not drop between services; if they are, a leak or other problem is likely. Coolant systems do naturally consume a little fluid, but a significant drop is a pointer to deeper issues
• Tyres: Unusual wear patterns can be a pointer to steering and/or suspension issues. Keep a tag on your pressures too to ensure you're getting maximum fuel efficiency and maximising tyre life.
• Battery: A battery can discharge via dirt and grime and loose connections or corrosion can cause electrical issues. Ensuring your battery is clean and properly connected will maximise its life and minimise the chance of other problems.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}