Today's Car Care Tip: Do You Have to Take Your Car Back to the Dealer For Scheduled Maintenance?
Car dealers love it when people believe that you have to take your car to them. The truth is, many independent repair shops can take care of the same repair needs that your dealer can, and more often than not, you'll actually find more skilled technicians at independent shops.For most new cars, scheduled maintenance should be done at 15k, 30k, 45k, 60k, and 90k miles. Be sure to check the owners manual for your car's specific requirements.
Will this void your new car warranty?
NO! The Magnuson/Moss Warranty Act prevents car manufacturers from forcing customers to get their scheduled maintenance from the dealers.
Still worried about going for repairs and maintenance outside of your dealer?
New car dealers can only service 57% of the cars they sell, so manufacturers were forced to give independent shops the technical info on their cars.
Besides...do you really want the people who beat you up when they sold you the car to work on it too?
You do need to have the scheduled maintenance done to keep your warranty valid, but you can choose who does it.
And remember to watch those loss leader prices. In most cases you'll get a better value at an independent shop!
Handy Car Care Tips and Suggestions
- Used Car Buyers’ Checklist – Don’t buy a used car without running through this! These are the questions every used car buyer should ask.
- Going Green with your Car – How to go green with your car and reduce your carbon footprint!
- Fuel Saving Tips – Here are some easy ways to increase your gas mileage at home!
- Report A Pothole in the Denver area – If you’re sick of hitting the same pothole everyday, use one of these numbers to report a pothole in your area!
Fluid Colors
These are what your vehicle’s fluids look like when they’re brand new and just added to your vehicle. If they’re black, smell burnt, or just past your manufacturer’s recommended service interval, getting these fluids changed can prevent big expenses down the road. Click here to see the fluid chart.
Vehicle Systems
These are diagrams of how all of the integral systems in your car work. From your air conditioning, to your brakes, to your engine, use these diagrams to see how everything works, and why certain repairs and preventative maintenance services are necessary, and can save you money in the long run. Click on any picture below to see a larger diagram!
