If you bought a new car, your factory warranty is serviced by dealer.And extended 200,000 mile warranty is also best by dealer($3000) not third party. The technology of computer controlled cars are largely lost in the process of dealer service. Your dealer has the only tool that can diagnose the cars of that brand.
If you bought a used car, you are dependent on Sears or Jiffy lube to service your fluids. You would not know that your car needed dealer to reset performance. This is a problem sooner or later. we see many complaints on the internet of service blunders. Its important to go over the service with Sears and Jiffy lube before they start work on your car. You have to know what they are going to do to your car?
It is extremely important to know how long the fluids can be left in your used car. Aluminum engines has gasket problem if antifreeze is not flushed 5 years or 150,000 miles. ATF for transmission also needs to be flushed 36,000 miles or 50,000 or 100,000 depends on which brand of car you own.
Tires are more like snow tire treads now a days and can last over 70,000 miles. Brake pads are semi metallic and if used properly(pump the brakes to stop) it could even last 150,000 miles. Most improperly used by quick and hard jamming, last 30,000 miles or 70,000 miles.
Battery can last over 5 years if the acid is not evaporated away. You can only use the battery for starting the car an make the battery last much longer. Using battery for radio, or inverter for other electronic equipment shortens life to 3 years according to AAA.
While Auto Zone can loan you a tool to read your car computer for defects, it is not as versatile as the tool used by your dealer. But its a way to learn what is happening to car computer technology.
Cheapest transportation is buying $1000 1995 cars of 150,000 miles, and use it by replacing fluids, and learn to drive you car gingerly(steadily) to make all the parts last longer without service. |
