What’s The Real Deal If You Skip Car Maintenance?

Vehicle owners on tight budgets sometimes find it hard to stick consistently to a regular car maintenance service.  To some, skipping maintenance or delaying auto repair appointments is often a temporarily ideal option. It may save you a certain amount of money at the moment, but the long-term cost of not having it checked regularly can cause you greater troubles.

Auto repair services are required for a reason. Poorly maintained cars spell thousands of accidents each year. In fact, putting off regular maintenance will likely diminish the lifespan of your vehicle. Hefty collision repair bills and accident costs due to skipped auto maintenance hit $2 billion annually, a study by Car Care Council in 2004 infers.

So what is the real deal when you choose to disregard the importance of regular car maintenance?  

1. Regular oil changes

A clean, well-lubricated engine is brought about by consistent oil changes. By changing your oil frequently, you can help cut down the friction that can erode engine parts. So how often should you perform oil changes? To stay on the safe shore, you must follow your car’s manual. Reading owner’s guide should not be undervalued because your car’s engine will bear the burden. After all, potential engine failure down the road costs more money than getting regular oil changes.

2.  Tire rotations and alignment, air pressure check-ups

To make sure that your front and rear tires wear equally, tire rotation should be done as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Getting your tire’s alignment checked annually while making sure that tires are properly inflated can help prolong tire life. All these check-ups require relatively little upfront cost compared to the distress caused by an excessive tire wear and poor gas mileage.

3.  Annual brake check-ups

Wearing down is a part of the natural lifecycle of your car’s brake pads and shoes. By checking your braking system yearly, you can foresee when it is time to replace them. Failing to maintain regular brake work can cause more expensive rotor and drum replacements in the future. Annual brake check-ups also help your technician catch other problems that you never knew existed such as brake fluid problems.   

4. PCV Valve maintenance

The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) functions as the regulator of engine fumes. It keeps the engine from getting worn down and cracked that might lead to an oil leak. PCV valves and hoses are ideally replaced at regular intervals. Typically, the cost of replacement is just a few dollars, plus a minimal cost of labor. Skipping this maintenance service can lead to leaking head gasket and failed emission test which cost a lot to repair.  

Walkers Collision Repair, Gold Class Certified & ASE Certified, is a premier auto repair facility in Knoxville, TN. We are located in Seymour, and an additional facility also has been opened in West Knoxville off Lovell Road! Give us a call now at 865-577-6083 or check us out online at www.walkersautocollision.com. AUTO ACCIDENT HELP 24/7 - Hot Line - 877-499-2553 FREE

Visit our site here www.walkersautocollision.com

What’s The Real Deal If You Skip Car Maintenance?

WAX IT UP: THE BASICS OF CAR WAXING

Keeping car paint in good condition is one of the intricate measures of a good auto maintenance.  Walker's Collision Repair, your trusted auto repair facility in Knoxville, will round up for you the basic things that you need to know when it comes to proper automotive waxing. The key to making sure that you do not damage your car's paint while waxing is to properly execute while using safe and appropriate products/tools. 

Using high quality waxes and polishes will not only make your car's paint shine but will also offer your vehicle long-term protection against harmful elements that can damage your car paint over time -- from the scorching heat of the sun to  dirt, rocks,and chemicals.

Before giving your car that wonderful luster, consider these quick tips to make the most  out of your waxing session.

Prep your Car. Wash, clean and dry your car thoroughly before waxing. You don’t want grooves and creases after your paint job, so make sure it’s smooth and free of tiny debris.

Find a Good Location to Wax.  Never wax your car under the scorching sun. Look for a shady place for your waxing session. Prolonged exposure of the wax to the sun’s heat may cause strange chemical reactions that can do more harm than good to your car’s paint. That said,  only open the wax container when you’re ready to apply it.

Apply Wax Appropriately Using the Right Tools.  Smudging wax directly to your car’s paint is definitely a big no-no! Consider using  an applicator pad or buffer when applying a liquid wax to your car. Divide your car’s surface into few segments and apply wax one segment at a time.

Moreover, you can use electric buffers -- but using this type of equipment requires some expertise.

If you’ve never used electric buffers before, it would be much safer to apply wax by hand with a soft, cotton rag or hand applicator. When manually applying wax to your car,  make sure to move your hand applicator or rag across the car’s body  in a circular motion. 

Polish It Up! Whether you’re using electric buffers or hand applicators, the time it takes to polish your beloved vehicle will depend on the condition of your car’s paint. For the final polish, grab a clean, new rag, or if you’re using electric buffer, switch to your system's buffing pad. Frequently turn the cloth the opposite side to steer clear of wax buildup. You can even repeat the process as much as you like.

Polish, polish, polish -- continue polishing in a circular motion until you get the desired result. Now your freshly waxed vehicle is all-set for some fun time on the road!

Auto Repair Shop Knoxville

Walkers Collision Repair, Gold Class Certified & ASE Certified, is a premier auto repair facility in Knoxville, TN. We are currently located in Seymour, and an additional facility is coming up soon in West Knoxville off Lovell Road! Give us a call now at 865-577-6083 or check us out online at www.walkersautocollision.com. AUTO ACCIDENT HELP 24/7 - Hot Line - 877-499-2553 FREE

Connect with us http://peepjuice.com/walkersautocollision 

Learn About Our Founder

Paul Walker has been a professional automotive technician for nearly 30 years now. From a simple car-painting passion, Paul established one of East Tennessee's top automotive body shops.

Self-employed since the age 18, Paul has developed Walkers Collision Repair into one of the key players in the automotive repair business in the East Tennessee region, with direct repair contracts with Insurance companies such State Farm , Geico, USAA, Metlife, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, and Farm Bureau just to name a few. Those contracts did not come easy. In fact, they are the result of nearly 30 years of experience in auto-repair and impeccable trust-building with clients.

More than clients, we consider everyone who seeks our assistance and services as friends, and it is our reliability and trustworthiness at Walkers Collision Repair that has earned us praise across the region.