The Daily Vanguard

Don’t Let Your Vehicle Cost You Money and More

When was the last time you had your vehicle serviced?

Although it may seem like not a big deal to you, not taking care of your car or truck can have lasting implications. Of most importance, those implications go beyond only you.

That said it is important to have your vehicle serviced on a regular basis. Not doing so can cost you money and more down the road.

Why Vehicle Service Can’t Be Overlooked

When it comes to your vehicle, here would be several reasons regular service checks are a must:

  1. Safety matters most– You want to make sure you are riding around in the safest vehicle possible. As an example, do you tend to let squeaky brakes go? If so, you can be putting you and others in danger. When the brakes start to sing to you, it is a sign that they need some attention. Although you may not need a full brake job now, the warning is there that you will sooner or later. The same for tires that are low on tread. Not having enough tread on your tires can lead to an accident (see more below). If authorities find your tires to be less than adequate, you could face charges in an accident. Do your best to put safety at the top of your driving list.
  2. Accidents and citations can be costly – Also note how costly even one vehicle accident can be. For instance, what if you do deliveries for your job and you’ve been in a serious accident? That accident could impede you from doing your job moving forward. Some employers may also frown if one of their employees has one or more auto accidents. You also need to consider the issue of traffic citations. If you start accruing them due to your vehicle not meeting roadside standards, the costs can add up. Also keep in mind that you may have some outstanding citations out there you forgot about. If that’s the case, it can come back to haunt you at some point. Going to the Illinois DMV or your state’s department to check your driving record is important. In doing so, you’re not caught off guard by any outstanding tickets. Remember, employers and others can do an online people search of you. If they discover you have some driving issues, it can prove problematic.
  3. Sell your vehicle down the road – Last, if you have intentions of selling your auto, take care of it now. As your vehicle ages, it loses its financial value. As such, you can’t expect to get a lot of money for it as each year goes by. Doing needed maintenance on it gives a better chance of getting something in return. In being both safe and maintaining some value in your vehicle, you come out ahead.

Owning a vehicle comes with a lot of responsibility.

That said are you driven to be a responsible vehicle owner today and down the road?