Regular Car Repair & Maintenance in Austin: Why Are These Important?
Avoid Costly Repairs With Regular Maintenance
Did you know that there are ways to minimize the likelihood that your car will break down? Many drivers attribute reliability and dependability to certain vehicle brands. While it’s true that some vehicles have a tendency to be more reliable than others, the majority of your vehicle's reliability hinges on how well it's maintained throughout its lifetime.
At Lamb's Tire & Automotive, we feature a team of ASE-certified mechanics who provide expert car repair and maintenance services in Austin, TX. We work on all makes and models, and we use quality parts and fluids to ensure that your vehicle performs its best throughout its lifetime.
Because we provide exceptional Austin car repair and maintenance services on so many vehicles each day, we have a deep understanding of what it takes to maintain your car, truck, or SUV. Let's cover a few fundamental car repair and maintenance tips, and be sure to schedule an appointment at Lamb's Tire & Automotive for quality maintenance and Austin auto repair services!
The Difference Between Car Repair and Maintenance
Some drivers use the terms “car maintenance” and “car repair” interchangeably. However, these are two different services:
Car Maintenance
Car maintenance refers to changing out high-wear parts or fluids in order to keep your vehicle performing as efficiently and reliably as possible. Car maintenance services prevent mechanical breakdowns and save you money by reducing the need for expensive auto repairs.
For example, an oil change is one of the most frequent maintenance services that you will perform on your vehicle throughout its lifetime. This simple service protects your engine and reduces the likelihood of engine failure, which can cost thousands of dollars in car repair.
Auto Repair
If a component on your vehicle has failed or is malfunctioning, you will need auto repair services. This means a mechanic will diagnose your vehicle’s problem and replace the defective part(s). Depending on the part that has failed and the effort that must go into its replacement, auto repairs in Austin can cost anywhere from a few dollars to a few thousand.
Common Auto Repairs
Here are a few of the common mechanical failures that we see every day:
- Oxygen sensor failure
- Ignition coil failure
- Worn spark plugs
- Mass airflow sensor
- Water pump failure
- Radiator leakage
- Thermostat failure
How to Minimize the Need for Car Repairs
There are a few ways to minimize the likelihood of mechanical failure on your vehicle so that you won’t need Austin car repair services as often:
Stay on Top of Maintenance
In your owner's manual, you’ll find the prescribed automotive service guide that your vehicle manufacturer recommends to keep your vehicle running its best. While your vehicle's needs will vary based on your driving style, the number of miles driven per year, and environmental factors, your owner’s manual is an excellent resource to help you keep your vehicle in its best shape.
Drive Sensibly
The harder you drive your vehicle, the more wear and tear you put on its many components. If you drive exceptionally hard on your vehicle, you may need to perform maintenance services on it more frequently in order to avoid costly repairs.
If you go off-roading or racing, or if you use your vehicle for towing purposes, our expert service mechanics in Austin are here to give you our best advice on your vehicle's particular needs.
Know When Your Car is Telling You That Something is Broken
A warning light is one of the easiest ways to determine if your vehicle needs repairs. Every modern vehicle is equipped with an onboard computer that can detect if a drive component has failed. If your vehicle detects that one of its components has malfunctioned, it will trigger a warning light, such as a check engine light or oil light, or some other warning to notify you of the malfunction.
Once you bring your vehicle into our Austin repair shop, one of our mechanics will use a diagnostic machine to read your vehicle's stored fault codes. This will tell us exactly what is wrong with your vehicle.
How Often to Bring Your Vehicle in to Avoid Repairs
Although we've mentioned that routine maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent the need for costly car repairs, we've yet to mention how often you need to bring your vehicle in for service. While your owner's manual will detail your manufacturer’s recommendations on various service intervals, we've compiled a list of average service intervals:
- Oil change – Every 5,000-10,000 miles (depending on the type of oil used)
- Transmission fluid flush – Every 30,000-60,000 miles
- Coolant flush – Every three years or every 36,000 miles
- Car battery replacement – Every three years
- Windshield wiper replacement – Every 12 months
- Tire rotation – Every 10,000 miles
- Brake Pad Replacement – Every 15,000-50,000 miles
Schedule Service at Lamb's Tire & Auto Today!
Whether you drive a sports car or a pickup truck, quality car maintenance is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle off the side of the road and avoid expensive car repairs. At Lamb's Tire & Automotive, our Austin mechanics are highly trained and certified to perform maintenance and repair services on all makes and models.
We use quality replacement parts and fluids and even offer fantastic service coupons to make sure that it's never difficult or expensive to maintain your vehicle. Schedule service at Lamb's Tire & Automotive today, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in the hands of trusted experts.
