What Those With Auto Careers Should Know About the Importance of Keeping Vehicles In Top Condition

A car is either in top condition, or needs to be brought back up to top condition. That’s where the auto mechanic come in. There are 1,0001 ways a car can fail, and while car owners dread the flashing red warning light on the dash that alerts them to a problem under the hood, they know that ignoring those signals could lead to dire consequences for the life of the vehicle. 

Car owners trust auto mechanics to be able to quickly pinpoint problems and fix them to bring the car back up to peak performance. Just as important to the car owner is trusting the auto mechanic to make the right recommendations for keeping the vehicle in good condition for as long as possible. 

A trained auto mechanic can help achieve this for the customer by considering a few best practices. 

Following a Routine Maintenance Schedule

Part of keeping cars in top shape means addressing problems as they come in. But preventing issues is also important too, which is where good routine maintenance can make a difference. Each vehicle has a maintenance schedule that must be followed. After a certain mileage has been reached in the life of the vehicle, a standard list of maintenance items must be addressed. 

These routine maintenance points can include things such as checking fluid levels, checking battery charge, and replacing timing belts, spark plugs, or filters. A trained auto mechanic can quickly assess what routine maintenance a car needs by identifying the year and mileage of the vehicle, and then referring to the car manufacturer’s maintenance schedule recommendations.

Professionals with Auto Mechanic Training Know the Importance of Oil 

From the time a trainee begins taking auto mechanic courses, they will quickly understand that a thorough routine maintenance schedule must include regular oil changes. The frequency of those oil changes will depend on the car’s make and model, as well as the owner’s personal driving habits. 

The stop-and-go driving associated with zooming around the city puts more stress on a vehicle, and will likely necessitate an oil change every 5,000-7,500 km. Drivers more often using their vehicles on the highway can likely stretch oil changes up to every 10,000 km or more. The frequency of the need for an oil change is quite variable from one car to the next, so it’s really always best to consult the car manufacturer’s recommendation on this point.

Recommend Proper Tire Maintenance

To keep a vehicle running in top condition, an auto mechanic should also remind car owners to keep tires adequately inflated. Both underinflated and overinflated tires have the potential to cause all kinds of issues. A tire that isn’t inflated according to its recommended level can cause a car to lose its stability, creating issues with handling, cornering, and braking. This leads to faster wear and tear, and can ultimately lead to tire failure. Lower tire inflation pressure can also cause a reduction in fuel economy, creating a build-up of internal heat that increases rolling resistance. 

To prevent tire mishaps, unnecessary expenses, and potentially dangerous outcomes for car owners, individuals with an auto mechanic training background know the importance of considering both the make of the car and tire to determine correct pressure levels. 

Are you interested in exploring one of the many auto careers that may await you as an auto mechanic? 

Contact Automotive Training Centres for more information!