Used Car Maintenance for Beginners

Keeping up with used car maintenance is the best way to keep your vehicle running for years to come. No matter what vehicle you’ve recently purchased at Salem Pre-Owned, you should know the basics of vehicle maintenance so you can properly maintain your car and prevent common problems. To that end, our dealership has assembled this beginner’s guide for you to get the basics down pat.

Essential Services

The first step of car maintenance is knowing what to service regularly. Whether you’ve bought a used car or a new vehicle, essential services like oil changes, brake pad replacements, and powertrain inspections are important. Fresh oil ensures that your engine runs at the proper temperature, and worn brake pads must be replaced.

Our Salem, OR car dealership also recommends that you consult your vehicle’s service schedule to learn what maintenance tasks are expected after a certain amount of time. This calendar is a great guide for vehicle service, as they’re created to extend your vehicle lifespan as it continues to run.

Maintenance at Home

Vehicle maintenance and upkeep doesn’t end at the dealership, as there are several maintenance steps you can take at home. Regular oil changes can be done in your driveway with the proper equipment, as well as other fluid replacements like brake fluid and transmission fluid. Make sure you consult your owner’s manual for specific information on what oil your vehicle should receive, as you only want to put recommended fluids in your tanks.

Service After Buying

After you’ve signed a used car finance offer, it makes sense to schedule a service visit after about six months. This way, you’ll have time to get used to how the vehicle handles and notice any differences that could be caused by a serious issue. It also ensures that you check the vital systems after putting the vehicle back on the road.

Schedule Used Car Maintenance in Salem, OR

Our team is ready to help you with any maintenance and service tasks on your used car. Contact Salem Pre-Owned today to schedule a service visit or get an estimate on a repair. If you’re looking for a used car under $15K, our team can help you find the perfect fit.