Nine Commonly Overlooked Vehicle Services

Has your vehicle ever betrayed you? Maybe it was a cracked water pipe that left you stranded in the middle of nowhere, or a dead battery during a frigid New Hampshire winter. Regardless, such automotive horror stories can be avoided with regular maintenance. Getting your car routinely serviced is crucial for its longevity, safety, and performance. Most car owners are aware of the run-of-the-mill services such as oil changes and tire rotations.

However, there are other important maintenance tasks that often go overlooked. Neglecting these services can lead to costly repairs and compromised safety on the road. In this article, we'll explore nine commonly overlooked vehicle services that every car owner should be aware of.

1. Transmission Fluid Flush

The transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating and cooling the transmission system in your vehicle. Over time, this fluid can become contaminated with debris, losing its effectiveness as a result. A transmission fluid flush helps to remove old fluid and contaminants, which in turn, prevents the transmission from both overheating and premature wear. Additional benefits of a transmission fluid flush include:

• Cleans out any sludge
• Removes dirty oxidized fluid
• Flushes out harmful deposits
• Lowers transmission heat
• Enhances shift quality
• Extends transmission life

Neglecting this service can result in costly transmission repairs. It’s recommended to get a transmission fluid flush every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

2. Coolant System Flush

The coolant (or antifreeze) in your vehicle's cooling system helps regulate engine temperature and prevent overheating. Over time, coolant can break down and become less effective, leading to potential engine damage. A coolant system flush involves draining the old coolant and replacing it with fresh coolant, ensuring that your engine stays at the right operating temperature. Flushing your vehicle’s coolant system can:

• Protect coolant system components
• Remove scale deposits and rust accumulation
• Improve the life of your water pump
• Prevents acidic antifreeze from forming
• Improve coolant system efficiency

Flushing out the coolant helps you to dispense with harmful deposits and, as a result, keep your engine operating at its best.

3. Fuel System Cleaning

Modern vehicles have complex fuel injection systems that can become clogged with carbon deposits and debris. Regular fuel system cleaning helps maintain fuel efficiency, prevent engine knocking, and ensure smooth acceleration. Neglecting this service can lead to reduced fuel economy and poor engine performance.

4. Power Steering Fluid Flush

Power steering fluid is essential for smooth and easy steering control. Over time, this fluid can become contaminated, leading to difficulty in steering and potential damage to the power steering system. A power steering fluid flush helps maintain optimal steering performance. What’s more, it also offers numerous other benefits that are more than worth this uncommon vehicle service; these advantages include:

• Leak and seal damage protection
• Component wear prevention
• Minimized noise and vibration
• Cost savings
• Response steering performance

Adding power steering fluid flushes to your routine vehicle maintenance ensures that your vehicle's steering system operates optimally. As a result, you’ll enjoy a smoother and safer driving experience.

5. Differential Fluid Change

The differential distributes power to the wheels which allows them to rotate at varying speeds. Differential fluid helps lubricate and protect the gears inside the differential. Regular differential fluid changes prevent excessive wear and ensure the proper functioning of the differential, which is especially important for vehicles with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems.

6. Brake Fluid Replacement

Brake fluid plays a critical role in the braking system by transmitting the force from the brake pedal to the brakes. After a while, your brake fluid tends to act like a sponge, absorbing moisture which then compromises brake performance and can even damage your brake system. Regular brake fluid replacement helps maintain safe braking performance and extends the life of brake components. Additional benefits of brake fluid replacement include:

• Maintained braking performance
• Corrosion protection
• Brake fade prevention
• Enhanced ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
• Better traction control
• Longevity of brake components

7. Belt and Hose Inspection

Belts and hoses in your vehicle's engine compartment play crucial roles in powering various systems, such as the alternator, air conditioning, and power steering. Over time, these components can become worn or cracked, leading to potential system failures. Regular inspection and replacement of belts and hoses prevent unexpected breakdowns and keep your vehicle running smoothly.

8. Battery Maintenance

While many car owners replace their vehicle's battery when it fails, regular battery maintenance can extend its lifespan. Cleaning the battery terminals, ensuring proper connections, and checking the battery's charge level can help prevent unexpected battery failures and keep your vehicle starting reliably.

9. Cabin Air Filter Replacement

The cabin air filter is responsible for maintaining the air quality inside your vehicle by filtering out dust, pollen, and other contaminants. Over time, the filter can become clogged, leading to reduced airflow and poor air quality. Regular replacement of the cabin air filter ensures that you and your passengers breathe clean air while driving. Other advantages include:

1. Enhanced health and comfort: Breathing in clean air is not only more pleasant but also contributes to the well-being of you and your passengers. Regular cabin air filter replacement reduces exposure to airborne contaminants that can exacerbate allergies and respiratory issues.
2. Improved HVAC system performance: A clean cabin air filter allows your vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to operate more efficiently. By replacing the filter, you ensure that the HVAC system operates at its optimal level, providing effective heating and cooling performance.
3. Defogging and visibility: A functioning cabin air filter helps maintain the proper humidity levels within your vehicle. During our New Hampshire winters, humidity levels can rise inside the cabin, a clean filter can help prevent excessive window condensation. This, in turn, improves visibility and reduces the need to constantly defog or wipe down your windows, which contributes to an overall safer driving experience.

In Conclusion

Vehicle maintenance goes beyond just changing the oil and rotating the tires. Neglecting commonly overlooked services can result in costly repairs, decreased performance, and compromised safety. By staying proactive and incorporating these services into your regular maintenance routine, you can ensure that your vehicle remains in top condition, providing you with reliable and safe transportation while on the road.

At Seacoast Mazda, our expert team of automotive experts is here to provide you with helpful, honest, and first-rate customer service. We will walk you through the options related to what you want, while answering your questions and addressing your concerns. Your satisfaction is our top priority! So if you’re ready, contact is today to learn more.