Your automobile could represent one of your biggest and most significant financial commitments, yet we often fail to provide our vehicles with the level of upkeep they require. Just like doctors for cars, mechanics and technicians observe everything: They witness it firsthand.
"My role is to provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your vehicle’s condition so that you can make informed choices regarding its maintenance," explained Bogi Lateiner, a master automotive technician from Phoenix and the proprietor of. Girl Gang Garage a network offering practical training for women in various trade skills.
Frequently, according to technicians, we make maintenance choices—or fail to make them—in manners that could introduce possible safety risks and might result in expensive errors. To shed light on this, we consulted automobile repair specialists regarding their significant "don'ts" which serve as valuable warnings for everyone.
1. I will not overlook car maintenance.
Among all the errors she encounters, Lateiner stated that this one is the most frequent. "People believe 'it doesn’t matter much,' and assume they will address it eventually," she explained. "However, in truth, conducting preventive maintenance will invariably cost less than having to fix the issue."
Lateiner stated she would always prioritize routine oil changes. "Engine oil is crucial," she emphasized. "It ensures your engine stays cooled and lubricated."
When the motor oil becomes viscous or begins to degrade, and the additives within it fail to function as intended, the engine may experience premature failure through either small-scale wear or severe mechanical breakdown," she explained. "Therefore, maintaining clean oil is absolutely essential.
Lateiner suggests changing the oil approximately every 7,500 miles, which is roughly half of the typical 15,000-mile recommendation from most car manufacturers.
I usually reduce the oil change intervals to half," she stated. "The maximum distance I'd cover is 8,000 miles for a complete synthetic oil change on a European vehicle using premium quality oil.
2. I will not depend only on car maintenance alerts.
When discussing oil changes, Robin Reneau, who is both the owner and chief technician at, Georgia Auto Solutions In Conyers, Georgia, she stated that she would never depend on the oil change reminder sticker to decide when her oil really needs changing.
"You may not consistently cover the same number of miles within the suggested oil change period, which could result in changing your oil too early or letting it go for too long," Reneau explained.
The variability in driving conditions can render these general reminders ineffective. "Elements like regular short journeys, hauling trailers, or operating under extremely hot or cold weather can speed up oil deterioration, demanding more frequent replacements than what’s stated on the label," explained Reneau. "As the engine ages, its wear may alter oil effectiveness, prompting earlier maintenance intervals."
Rather than doing that, Reneau mentioned she monitors her vehicle’s oil level and condition to keep tabs on her oil usage and figure out when it would be necessary to change it.
3. I will not utilize after-market car components.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components are specially created by the automobile maker for your specific vehicle model, whereas aftermarket parts are manufactured by third-party companies and generally come at a lower cost.
Grace Claudio, a master automotive technician at BMW Manhattan based in New York City, advised that you should steer clear of aftermarket components as they ultimately result in higher expenses over time.
Claudio provided an instance where an after-market battery isn’t recognized by the car’s system; hence, the vehicle continues to believe it has a defective battery and thus won't function properly because of this.
I've experienced situations where everything falls apart, making it even worse than before," Claudio stated. "And this leads to a more costly fix.
4. I will not utilize coolants or fuels that differ from those recommended by my manufacturer.
Automobiles are designed to operate using specific kinds of liquids, and Lateiner advised vehicle owners to always use those recommended by the manufacturer.
She mentioned that this applies to your coolant, engine oil, and the kind of fuel you use," he explained. "Therefore, if your vehicle requires 91-octane gasoline, you must use 91-octane.
If a car owner opts for fuel types not intended for their vehicle, it can result in more significant repair problems. Lateiner mentioned that she has encountered instances where European vehicles exhibited unusual behaviors which were resolved after switching to the appropriate motor oil.
5. I will not purchase any non-prescription item that claims to prevent leaks.
Lateiner cautioned against employing products that claim to seal leaks in engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and flat tires.
It’s just a Band-Aid. At most, it serves as a short-term fix, but all too frequently, it ends up doing more harm than help," Lateiner stated. "Those meant for tires can completely ruin your wheel, and whoever changes your tire is likely going to be quite annoyed with you.
6. I won’t change my car’s exterior without considering the climate where I live.
Certain individuals enjoy applying car wraps to their vehicles, which involves covering them with a specialized vinyl film. This method allows owners to alter the appearance of their cars without resorting to painting. However Cheyenne Ruether A master auto body technician from Las Vegas mentioned her preference for painting vehicles instead of wrapping them, particularly in sun-drenched states like Nevada.
Due to the intense UV rays here..., they frequently lead to cracking or delamination" quite rapidly, Ruether mentioned. "And removing them is extremely troublesome.
7. I will not add a rubber floor mat that doesn’t match on the driver’s side.
Claudio mentioned that many customers place a rubber floor mat over the standard carpeted one on the driver's side to maintain cleanliness inside their vehicles. However, this practice can be problematic because frequently, these additional rubber mats do not fit correctly, posing a potential risk to safety.
"The floor mat on the driver’s side may get caught on the accelerator, making it impossible to stop the vehicle. Alternatively, it could become trapped behind the brake, making it difficult to slow down," she pointed out.
Rather than keeping the original carpet floor mat, Claudio suggests removing it and choosing one that sits properly around the accelerator and brake pedals.
8. I would definitely not overlook a car's warning signal.
"Our vehicles nowadays, particularly, are engineered to automatically fix many problems," Lateiner stated. Once the cars can no longer rectify these issues on their own, they generate an error code that triggers a warning light to notify the driver.
That’s the sole method the vehicle uses to alert us about an issue before it becomes severe enough that you end up stranded on the roadside," Lateiner explained. "Pay attention to your car, as it is attempting to communicate with you.
Lateiner advised that if you spot a warning light, you ought to consult your owner’s manual to understand its significance, as certain indicators might point to problems you can resolve yourself.
Based on the issue at hand, you might want to consult with your nearby auto repair store for their recommendations moving forward. As Lateiner pointed out, "Should you find yourself unable to afford the necessary repairs immediately, you could express that you're currently not in a place to address this fully but would like some guidance—whether it's still safe to drive and how urgent the situation truly is." He emphasized that having information is far preferable to remaining unaware.
9. I won’t substitute tires with previously owned ones for my vehicle.
Claudio mentioned that clients might inadvertently opt for used tires instead of new ones when replacing their old tires.
She has witnessed used-tire vendors provide customers with tires that aren't the right size or have a bulge in the side wall.
“Often enough, they install a rather poor quality tire,” Claudio mentioned. She advised keeping an eye out for tires that appear cracked or show signs of wear on both the inner and outer edges of their treads.
Despite appearing normal, an old used tire might still be dangerous. Major companies such as Michelin manufacture tires with this consideration in mind. recommend Replacing tires no more than 10 years following their manufacturing date. Numerous automotive producers additionally recommend Replacing a tire at least every six years, irrespective of its condition.
To determine a tire's age, examine the four-digit code. Tire Identification Number On the side wall, the last two digits represent the manufacturing year, whereas the initial two digits denote the production week. For instance, a Tire Identification Number (TIN) such as "0719" signifies that the tire was manufactured in the seventh week of 2019.
10. I wouldn’t deceive a car mechanic regarding the problem I'm experiencing.
Car technicians and mechanics rely on accurate information to identify issues with your vehicle, so avoid complicating their task by providing false details.
We hear it constantly... 'I have no idea what occurred. Suddenly, it began producing this strange sound,'" Lateiner stated. "Then we examine it and think, 'Obviously, you've been driving off-road with your extremely low-profile vehicle.'
"The more precise details you provide us, the faster we can pinpoint the real issue, as you won’t be leading us on a wild-goose chase," she went on to say.
For additional assistance, Lateiner suggests noting down the times when you encounter the "odd noise." Should you struggle to articulate what the sound entails, Lateiner advises capturing either an audio or video recording that you can share with your mechanic. Alternatively, consider bringing along another person for a test drive so they can also listen to it and provide insights.
In the end, keeping your car well-maintained might entail some initial expenses and additional homework, yet it will pay off by saving you stress over time.
