Vehicle maintenance and car repair, whether you have a new or used car, truck, or SUV, is a part of vehicle ownership.
If you own a vehicle, it’s important to have a local East Texas auto mechanic that you trust to take care of your car when it needs a tune-up, repairs, or other maintenance.
There are many appealing reasons to buy a used car:
Used vehicles are more affordable, still have plenty of good mileage to provide, and can be ideal as first vehicles for beginning drivers.
Experienced local auto mechanic shops like Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive in Tyler, East Texas, offer a range of services necessary to maintaining your vehicle and repairing your used car. These services include an oil change service, roadside assistance, evening and weekend assistance, engine diagnostics, tire maintenance, and other car problem solutions.
One of the most important things you can do for a used car is keep it maintained. Because it’s already gone through wear and tear, your used car’s components are more likely to need repair, maintenance, or even replacing sooner than when they were brand new.
How much mileage, the environment the car was in (Salty? Mountainous? City Commutes?) and other factors can determine what type of repairs a used car will need. Different environments mean the vehicle might need special attention in specific areas. For example, if the car was driven more in rural areas that might mean doing extra suspension checks, etc. while more commuter driving might mean paying closer attention to brakes and tire rotation and maintenance.
These are also factors to consider before purchasing a used car.
Here’s a list of some repairs you might expect in the first year owning a used car:
When you purchase a used car, truck, or SUV, it’s important to have it professionally inspected to make sure everything is working properly before you hand over any cash and drive away. One key component to make sure are in top working condition are the brakes. If the brakes are ok you might not need to have them worked on immediately but expect that it will be necessary to get them replaced soon. You might need to replace the brake pads, rotors, or calipers depending on how much the car was driven before you purchased it, and what kind of driving conditions the car went through. If the car was driven in commuter traffic, which necessitates using the brakes often, it’s possible the brakes will need to be replaced sooner.
When you purchase a used vehicle it’s important to know when it last had an oil change. Older vehicles might need oil changes more often, but no matter the age of your used vehicle, a regular oil change and maintenance such as changing fluids, rotating tires, etc. are necessary to keep it working properly.
Especially in hot, humid places like East Texas it’s crucial to have a working air conditioner. If your heating and cooling system goes down it can be inconvenient and uncomfortable, but also downright dangerous. Regular maintenance should include routine checks of your air conditioner system and making sure all fluids are full and hoses properly working and attached.
This is also true of your used car’s coolant system. Hot days in East Texas can do a number on your vehicle, especially if you’re driving long distances. Make sure both you and your vehicle are safe by ensuring the air conditioner and coolant system are working properly.
As mentioned above, the environment where the used car spent the majority of its’ days makes a big difference in terms of what potential repairs will be necessary in both the short and long-term.
You might need to get the transmission fixed or replaced depending on how the vehicle was driven.
The electrical system on your car could need repairs for any number of reasons. If the vehicle sat before you purchased it, anything from animals to environmental wear and tear could have compromised the vehicle’s electrical system.
One positive about buying a used car is that older vehicles can sometimes be easier or less expensive to repair because new cars have more computer parts, which can sometimes make finding parts and doing repairs more complicated. Keep your used car serviced and it will give you many good years on the road to come.
Just because a vehicle is used doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great vehicle. It simply means you need to do your due diligence on how the car was driven and treated before you purchased it.
In addition, it’s necessary to keep up with your car’s regular maintenance by bringing it to a local East Texas Garage for regular tune-ups.
