General auto service may not be important, unless paying for automotive repairs interest you. The majority of automobile owners do not service their "ride" properly, resulting in costly repairs. Most of the oil changes I perform, the vehicle is way overdue for new oil. This service is one of the most important services, your car will need. That means on time, oil will loose its oiling properties due to combustion gases, resulting in possible engine damage and oil leaks. This article will highlight some general auto services, including the "oil change" and their importance for a reliable automobile.

-Oil change, conventional oil replace every 3k miles, synthetic blend at 5k and full-synthetic around 10K miles. I believe a good full-synthetic oil is beneficial to your engine, I will discuss the benefits of synthetic oil in another article. Change your vehicles oil at the recommended mileage, this will prevent engine sludge and oil seal problems. Oil sludge causes engine damage and oil leaks. Many of the cars I diagnose for oil leaks reveal the leak is due to not changing the oil on time. Regardless of your oil change habits, your vehicle needs other services.

-Fuel system service, advanced engineering is making the in-line fuel filter obsolete. In the instance your car has an in-line fuel filter, it should be replace roughly between 19 to 29K miles. Replacing it at the mentioned interval, will add life to the fuel pump. The filter in the tank (Not serviceable), just use some good fuel injector cleaner, this should clean the in-tank fuel filter and injectors, "two for one". Fuel injector cleaner, does well on vehicles with an in-line filter, just make sure you replace the filter, before using the cleaner.

-Cooling system service, this service is due in conjunction with the type of antifreeze your vehicle requires. Reference your vehicle owners manual for the type recommended. Dex-Cool is a common type, it is rated to last up to 5 years. Again review your manuals recommended interval, for replacement.

-Belts and hoses, these items, I will normally replace when needed, unless instructed otherwise. The recommended replacement by most belts & hoses manufacturers is 2 years. A quick inspection and analysis of these parts, will prove beneficial.

General auto repair service is a must to keep you on the road. Failure to service your vehicle will leave you stranded. This means expensive auto repairs. Remember the service recommendation is provided by manufacturer for a reason. Utilizing this information will help you financially. This article was intended to briefly educate the reader on auto service for the purpose of maintaining a reliable automobile.