Top 10 Car Maintenance Mistakes Mechanics Say You Shouldn't Ignore

Jan 24, 2013 09:54 AM EST | Matt Mercuro

When it comes to car maintenance, people are pretty negligent. At least according to a survey conducted by CarMD.com, that found most people ignore key and basic car maintenance like ignoring the "check engine light" and not checking their tire pressure enough.  

CarMD.com Corporation posted their survey which was conducted amongst their team of Automotive Service Excellence-certified Master Technicians. The team has over 840 years of combined experience repairing vehicles, so they know what they're talking about.

Click here to view the complete press release on the survey.

"When consumers fail to properly maintain their vehicles, the resulting repair costs dwarf the money that could have been budgeted to maintain their car," said Art Jacobsen, vice president, CarMD.com Corporation in a press release. "As a result, CarMD reached out to our ASE-certified Master Tech committee to confirm the top 10 most damaging mistakes drivers make. We believe this information will help consumers save money in the long run and plan better as they care for what is often their second largest purchase."

The top 10 maintenance mistakes car owners make when they ignore their vehicles includes:

      1. Putting off recommended / scheduled maintenance 

      2. Ignoring the "check engine" light

      3. Not changing the oil, or not having it changed on time

      4. Not checking tire pressure

      5. Neglecting coolant, brake, transmission and other fluid services

      6. Continuing to drive when the vehicle is overheating

      7. Not changing fuel and air filters

      8. Having unqualified shops service your vehicle

      9. Using generic aftermarket parts instead of original equipment manufacturer-quality parts

     10. Trying to service your own high-tech vehicle

Technicians also stated in the survey that number three, not changing the oil or having it changed on time, was the most damaging car maintenance item that their customers neglect. Dirty oil can ruin high-tech engines, and if people just followed the factory-recommended oil change schedule, it would help vehicle owners avoid an expensive trip to the mechanic.

Click here to check your vehicle health score on CarMD.

While it is important to monitor your car and pay attention to its needs, the Master Techs don't want people spending a lot of money on things they probably don't need. Items like injector flushes and nitrogen in tires is usually a waste of money that could be saved for more important items.  

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