Preventive Maintenance

Cars that last over a decade have one thing in common: preventive maintenance.

Throughout the life of your vehicle, the manufacturer expects you to visit an automotive service center for factory scheduled maintenance. This includes common services like oil changes and tire rotations, as well as component inspections at certain mileage intervals. You may also need to replace certain system parts, like brake pads and rotors, as identified in your owner's manual.

Following your maintenance schedule not only helps you get the longest life from your vehicle, it also keeps your car or truck covered under the factory warranty and extended warranties.

It makes sense. Your car manufacturer doesn't want to pay for a vehicle that hasn't been taken care of properly. Automotive maintenance saves you money in the long run by reducing the chance for unexpected problems and ensuring you're covered if something goes wrong.

Where Do I Go for Preventive Maintenance in Tomah, WI?

You might think your best bet is to go to the nearest dealer in Tomah, WI for car care. However, you don't need a dealer to keep your factory warranty valid. That's been true since 1975, thanks to something called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you when choosing where to go for automotive service. Under it, you're allowed to go to an independent automotive service center and use aftermarket parts for repairs and maintenance. Your factory warranty will remain intact as long as you follow the maintenance schedule.

Rick's Certified Auto provides preventive maintenance for Tomah, WI, Oakdale, WI, Wyeville, WI, and surrounding areas.

Learn About Automotive Maintenance Services

Common maintenance services we offer include but are not limited to:

• Lube & Oil Change: An oil change is one of the most common maintenance services requested, with good reason. Your car requires lubrication so its mechanical parts work seamlessly together. Without good motor oil, friction will cause wear and tear on the metal parts as they work together. This could eventually lead to your engine overheating. An oil change is necessary because oil becomes dirty over time. Oil change intervals vary depending on whether you use synthetic or regular oil and how frequently you drive.
• Tire Rotation: A tire rotation helps control the rate of wear for your tires. During this service, a technician swaps the position of your tires. Changing tire positions is important, because tires wear at different rates depending on their location. For example, your front right tire might hit pot holes frequently on turns, while your front and rear left tires miss them. In addition, front tires must support the weight of the engine, while rear tires don't have the same amount of pressure on them. Rotating tires, usually around every 6 months, helps with tire performance and life. You don't want to end up at the tire shop needing one or two tires replaced, in part because performance suffers when you mix and match tread levels.
• 30,000 Mile Service: At 30,000 miles you've reached an important milestone. Many manufacturers recommend maintenance at or near this mileage. Service includes replacing the engine oil and filter, checking and/or changing the coolant, inspecting the brakes, replacing the air filters, inspecting the exhaust, and checking other automotive fluids and parts.
• 60,000 Mile Service: Your car is seasoned with many miles behind it and many more to go. At the 60,000 mile mark, your car parts and fluids will be checked and replaced again. Services include inspecting the steering linkage and boots, fuel line connections, transmission fluid, spark plugs, and other parts and fluids.
• 90,000 Mile Service: As your car reaches the 90,000 mile point, it's time for another maintenance check. Like the prior maintenance service intervals, you'll need your system components and fluids checked to retain vehicle dependability and performance.
• Spring Checkup: Before you hit the road for spring and summer, make sure your vehicle is running in top condition. No one wants to experience automotive problems on vacation. A spring checkup ensures everything looks good for the hot months ahead.
• Winter Checkup: Seasonal checkups are a great preventive practice. Cold and below zero temperatures have a negative effect on car batteries. Having your vehicle winterized helps prevent problems that could leave you on the side of the road in winter weather.

This is a sample of the maintenance services available at Rick's Certified Auto. We perform mileage services at all levels and can abide by the schedule in your owner's manual to ensure everything is serviced when it should be. If you have any questions, call or contact us online today.