Is It Time for Service in Your Used Car?

There’s plenty to love about owning a pre-owned car over a new vehicle—everything from collection purposes, a larger selection to choose from, and even more economical choices grant plenty of reasons to shop used. But do you still need to worry about used vehicle maintenance? In short, you’ll want to keep up with a service schedule to help ensure your ride continues to run in peak condition—oftentimes to a greater extent than a new model. No need to worry, as today, we’ll help guide you through the basics. Also, schedule your used vehicle service today online at Autoworld of Conway near Myrtle Beach, SC to begin.

But First…How Do You Know When You Need Service?

In a digital age, new cars make it easy to remember maintenance schedules with digital clusters and connected mobile apps letting you know it’s time for service (and what exact services at that). However, for classic vehicles (or anything not from the last 10 years), the process can be trickier—especially if you’re working with a higher mileage model or a rare car. Usually, your best bet is reading the manual if you have one handy and keeping up with the suggested schedule.

But what if you don’t have a manual and you can’t find one online? No need to panic—instead, start by checking your dipstick to see if it’s time for an oil change. As a rule of thumb, caramel/tan oil means things are looking good—but black or dark brown oil hints at overly heated oil and that you should schedule an oil change ASAP. Also, if you see a creamy or milky color, there’s likely a sign of damage if the fluids have a frothy texture—let one of our technicians know and we’ll help get to the bottom of it.

Next, check your fluid levels and make sure everything is topped off to the proper levels. It’s also a good idea to check for leaks while your car is parked to help ensure nothing is damaged. Lastly, give your tires a close inspection—for an easy tip, insert a penny head-first into the grooves—if you see the top of Honest Abe’s head, it’s time for a new set of tires to help improve your grip, fuel economy, and performance.

Why Do You Need to Worry About Auto Maintenance?

Keeping up with your maintenance schedule is one of the best ways you can care for your car—after all, it’s the secret to cruising well over 100,000 miles with virtually no issues. Also, in the case of oil changes and keeping up with your light checks, you’re helping prevent early wear and tear while keeping expensive repairs to a minimum.

Keep in mind maintenance also helps your ride maximize its performance. This note is especially true for American powerhouses like a used Mustang or JDM icons—worn spark plugs slow you down while bald tires limit your launches and prevent you from attacking corners with finesse. If you neglect your oil, you also risk your ride overheating—so, keep up with your maintenance, and help your vehicle continue to unleash exhilarating power.

Keep Your Used Cars in Top Shape: Schedule Service in Conway

Don’t let your pre-owned ride lose its performance and potential—instead, schedule your repairs and maintenance at Autoworld of Conway, your local used vehicle service center near Socastee, SC. Our team is always here to assist, so feel free to ask us if it’s time for any service or for tips on knowing when it’s time for maintenance—it’s only the start of how we put your needs first.