Congratulations! In the middle of the crazy automotive market of 2021, you bought a new used car. Whether you have your new ride already or it is being shipped across the country, you might be wondering, "What do I do now?" In order to keep your new ride on the road for many years to come, you will want to get started on preventative maintenance as soon as possible.
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The very first thing you will want to do is take care of any existing issues. If you purchased your car knowing the brakes don't work very well or the alternator needs to be replaced, you will want to fix those problems first. Once you have a clean slate and a seemingly fine vehicle, you will then want to focus on maintenance services.
The issue with buying a used car is you don't know 100% the service history. Sometimes sellers won't provide that information, or if they do, it might not be completely accurate. That's why we recommend taking care of all the general maintenance things as soon as you get your new vehicle. And, unfortunately, a lot of used cars tend to arrive in pretty bad shape.
By starting fresh, you will be able to create your own maintenance schedule moving forward so you can ensure that your car is taken care of properly.
Preventative Car Maintenance Services
There are quite a few maintenance services that you should have done, more than just the simple oil change and tire rotation. But each of these services is essential to giving your new used car a fresh start.
The most well-known service you will need is an oil change. We recommend getting your oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles depending on your specific make and model. If you never change your car's oil, many issues will arise later down the line. You might run into serious engine problems like complete engine failure. To keep your car up and running, make sure you request this service from a mechanic, and be sure to make it part of your usual maintenance routine.
You will also need to replace your windshield wiper blades. Replacing them and getting a fresh start will give you a guide so you know when they will need to be replaced next. The worst thing is being out on the road, unable to use your windshield wiper blades because they are too worn out. We recommend replacing your car's windshield wiper blades every six months, or as soon as you notice they are starting to wear out, to keep them in good shape.
Your car's spark plugs play a big role in starting your vehicle and without them, your car wouldn't be on the road at all. When it comes to used vehicles, something that gets easily overlooked is the spark plugs. Since you can drive your car for many years without having to worry about them, car owners often put them at the back of their minds. If you don't replace your spark plugs right away, you should be aware that they might need to be replaced soon. In general, you could go up to 100,000 miles in your vehicle before having to replace your spark plugs.
Be aware of the common signs and symptoms that your spark plugs are failing such as:
- Car Won't Start
- Car Idles
- Engine Knocking
- Overall Bad Performance
Our next service suggestion for you is a little broad, but you should have your tires inspected, rotated, or even just replaced. You will want to check the tread of your tires and the air pressure to ensure they are good to go, but odds are, you will need to replace the tires on your used car unless they are brand new. Many used cars sit in one spot for months or even years and this can cause flat spots on the tires. If this occurs, you should just get them replaced altogether.
Another thing you should consider replacing is your air filter. In general, we recommend replacing it every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or once a year. At the bare minimum, you should have your air filters inspected, but replacing them right away would give you a fresh start so you know when to replace them next.
And finally, you should also check all of your fluids and replace them if needed. Other than your oil, you should check your transmission, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid. So go ahead and book an appointment with a trusted mechanic so you can get your new used car ready for the road!
What Are The Most Common Auto Repair Services For Used Cars
Want to know what you should keep an eye on when repairing and maintaining your used car? We put together a list of the top ten most common auto repair services that people need when they buy a used car:
- Brake Pad And Rotor Replacement
- Battery Replacement
- Alternator Replacement
- Heater Core Replacement
- Radiator or Radiator Hose Replacement
- Spark Plug Replacement
- Oxygen Sensor Replacement
- Ignition Coil Replacement
- Serpentine Belt Replacement
- Catalytic Converter Replacement
If you notice any issues with these car parts, you will want to have them checked out by a qualified mechanic immediately.
Mobile Auto Repair And Maintenance Services With Wrench
You have come to the right place if you need an ASE-certified technician for your new used car. Our mobile technicians are working to transform the automotive industry by making auto repair and maintenance services more convenient for car owners. We will deliver our services right to your preferred location - even your home or office! That way, you will have more time to spend doing what you love.
To book an appointment with Wrench's ASE-certified mobile technicians near you, simply go to the homepage of our website or download our mobile app. Click on the "Get A Free Quote" icon and follow our short booking process. If you have an account with us already, you can sign in and give us the information for your new vehicle. Or you can book an appointment as a guest. Either way, we will need to know some information about your new used car and its needs.
The first thing we will need to know is what kind of car you have. You will need to provide us with the year, make, and model of your new ride. We will also ask for the VIN and license plate number. This information will help us better prepare for your appointment, and we will send a technician that has experience with your specific kind of car. This is especially important for those who have classic or exotic vehicles as their repairs might require specialized knowledge.
Then we will need to know which service you need. We will use this information to acquire the appropriate parts and estimate the time our service will take. Our mobile technicians are experienced in the automotive industry and can perform a wide variety of repairs from routine maintenance to full replacements. If you need any of the preventative maintenance services we listed above, just let us know!
Once we have all the information we need, we will send you an accurate quote. This quote will be fully transparent, complete with both a time and cost estimate. You can look over our quote and ask any questions you may have on our pricing or the service in general. As soon as you are comfortable, you will be able to choose a date, time, and location for your mobile auto repair appointment. Then we will confirm your appointment and you will be free to sit back and relax.
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