Why Regular Vehicle Maintenance is More Important Than You Think

Neglecting your car's maintenance can lead to costly consequences. During a routine inspection, one of our technicians discovered that the car had a leak coming from the oil filter housing adapter and the oil pan, a problem that could have been easily avoided with regular check-ups. Lack of attention caused the issue to escalate, resulting in significant repairs. 

Our technician's story serves as a reminder of the importance of taking care of your car and staying up-to-date with routine maintenance.

Let me tell you a story that will make you think twice about neglecting your car's maintenance. So, a 2016 Chevy Cruze rolls into the shop and I do my usual multi-point inspection. And guess what? It had a leak coming from the oil filter housing adapter and the oil pan.

Now, if this car had been brought in for regular check-ups, this could've been caught and avoided altogether. But no, someone neglected their car and it ended up costing them a pretty penny.

To fix this issue, I had to remove the exhaust manifold, dropping part of the exhaust connected to it. And as if that wasn't enough, I noticed that oil was mixed in the coolant line from bad seals, so I had to flush the coolant system to push the oil and tainted coolant out. This alone took me about an hour and a half.

But that's not all. To get the oil pan out, which I knew was going to have coolant in it from the leak, I had to drop the frame partially while loosening both lower engine mount bolts to clear enough room to get the pan out, flush it out, and reseal it. This job was no joke, my friends, and it took me almost six hours to complete.

All this could have been avoided if the owner had been diligent in bringing their car in for regular maintenance. So, please, take care of your car. Get it checked out regularly, change your oil, check your fluids, your tires, and everything else under the hood. Trust me, it'll save you a lot of time, money, and headaches in the long run.

The story of this 2016 Chevrolet Cruze shows how important regular maintenance is to keeping a vehicle running smoothly. Neglecting simple tasks like checking fluids or changing oil can lead to significant problems and costly repairs. So, take the time to care for your vehicle and bring it in for regular check-ups. You can avoid unnecessary expenses and keep your car in excellent condition for years to come.

Remember, a little prevention can go a long way in the world of car maintenance.