One of the best things about buying a brand new car today is the fact that most do not require the rigorous maintenance schedule their siblings from the past survived on. Going in for oil changes every 3,000 miles is just no longer a part of the ownership experience for most. Still, new cars do need some attention or they will become old fast.

What should car owners do to make sure their vehicles get the attention they need? Why is it so important?

While newer model vehicles are designed to last longer in between maintenance appointments, they can suffer greatly if those dates with a mechanic are not met.  Certain fluids and filters still need to be replaced occasionally or they can run out or lose their effectiveness and damage the inner workings of the engine.

As it was in the past, oil remains one of the most important fluids to keep up with for maintenance. Courtesy of the creation of synthetic oils, changes are not necessarily required every 3,000 miles. Instead, most manufacturers recommend every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. To gauge what is best here, check into manufacturer recommendations and also pay attention to driving habits. When driving takes place within the city, with a lot of stop and start traffic, changes will be necessary more often. Highway mileage is not as hard on oil so changes can take place less frequently.

Now, in regard to other fluids, it is still a very wise idea to have them inspected with every oil change at least. The same goes with filters for fuel, oil and air. Keeping up with filters and fluids is important to protect a new car and ensure that it keeps running well. When oil breaks down or runs out, for example, delicate parts within the engine will lose their lubrication. This, in turn, can cause them to seize up or even break. When filters clog, they damage the effectiveness of the systems they are meant to assist.

So, how can a motorist be sure a proper maintenance schedule is followed?

Follow these tips to help safeguard a vehicle:

Find the recommended schedule from the manufacturer – This will be in the manual that came with the car. If it cannot be found, check with the dealer. Take this schedule and post it in the car, on the refrigerator, or better yet, in a calendar.

Locate a good mechanic – Find a trusted location to take a vehicle for its normally scheduled maintenance. This will take some of the angst out of the process if a trusted mechanic is found in advance of the need for work.

Perform spot checks – Even as the schedule is followed, it is still a good idea to spot check fluids like the oil. In fact, it does not hurt to check oil levels and conditioning with each gas fill up. This is also a good time to check tire pressure, washer fluid and tire wear patterns.

New cars do not need the attention that older vehicles might. This does not mean they are free of maintenance concerns though. To keep a vehicle running right, be sure to follow a set schedule for maintenance.

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