One common mistake made by many vehicle owners is waiting too long to deal with necessary maintenance or repairs. The check engine light is on (or some other warning message/light) or something just doesn't feel or sound right when driving. You know you probably should take it in for service, but you put it off. It's getting you where you need to go, so what is the rush?
Why You Shouldn't Wait Too Long
Unfortunately, this can be a bad way of thinking. We understand nobody really wants to deal with car trouble. It's a little inconvenient and it may cost you some money to take care of the maintenance or repairs. However, there is a different way you need to think about it. Would you rather spend the time and money now to address a minor problem with your vehicle, or would you prefer to wait until it develops into a major concern?
A Common Scenario
Let's take bad brakes for an example. Your brake pads may be low and you can tell by the annoying screeching or squealing sounds, along with the the fact your car isn't coming to a stop as quickly as normal. Still, it's only a minor annoyance and you aren't too worried about it. Eventually, the terrible noises get worse and you have no choice but to go and get your brakes inspected by your local mechanic.
They end up telling you the front or rear brakes need to be completely replaced. It's not just the pads that are worn out, but the rotors need to be replaced or remachined. The tires on those wheels are also more worn out and may need to be replaced soon. In addition, there is a serious suspension issue and the wheels are way out of alignment. There are numerous major problems that need to be addressed. Your car may spend several days in the shop and the repair bill is going to add up.
You could have avoided at least some of this damage by simply replacing the brake pads when they were getting too low. That's a relatively inexpensive automotive service that can be take care of quickly.
Address Your Car Problems Early On
Of course, this is an extreme example, but not too far off from the stuff we see every day at Fox Run Auto. Someone ignored their check engine light or an exhaust leak. They didn't take a transmission fluid or coolant leak seriously. They felt or heard something strange and waited until it got much, much worse before doing something about it.
The point is if you think you might have an automotive problem, it's best to deal with it as soon as possible. Get your vehicle inspected. At the very least, you will know what the issue is, what it will cost to repair and how long it will take. Then, you can decide if you want to wait longer or take care of it right away.
If you are in Northern Delaware and think you might have a problem with your vehicle, bring it into Fox Run Auto for a professional inspection and diagnosis. We'll let you know exactly what's wrong—if anything—and provide you with an accurate price estimate for maintenance services or repairs. Call us today at (302) 597-9205 or schedule your service appointment online.