The True Cost of Preventative Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is probably the most maligned and misunderstood catch phrase in theEnglish language. This probably because in today's society preventive maintenance checks are oftenmisconstrued with "up selling".

Preventative Maintenance is Not Up Selling

If you go out to dinner and the server recommends desert or a bottle of wine, this is an upsell. Asmost servers depend on their tips to survive and that said tip is a percentage of the total bill, it is animportant part of their income. If you go to the dentist and they recommend that you get your teethcleaned every six months, this is an attempt to keep your teeth healthy, by preventively cleaningthem every six months so that the incidence of tooth decay is lessened and any trouble spots thatmay be in the process of developing and be addressed before they become problems. Is this aneconomic up sell to the dentist and the oral hygienist? Of course it is; they are keeping their workload under control and at a pace that they can manage while simultaneously keeping you and yourmouth healthy.

Failure to Flush CoolantWe Prioritize Your VehiclesMaintenance

This is the same concept that we try to maintain here at Gregg's Automotive. We look at everyvehicle that comes in and we fill out a detailed report which we keep in your file and give you a copy.The difference between us and many other shops especially the big box stores, is that we willprioritize anything that we may find by three important criteria. First by safety, second by need andlast by maintenance; this means that any safety items that need attention will be brought to yourattention first, repairs that are not a safety issue but can very well turn into one are addressed, andrescheduled as per your demands, and lastly pure maintenance issues are scheduled within a timelymanner.

If by chance we find something that is DANGEROUS, if you choose not to address it, I will tow yourvehicle home at my expense because I am morally and legally bound not to let anyone drive a vehiclethat is unsafe. I know that sounds hardcore and like I am pressuring people to repair their vehiclesbut If something were to happen and a part failed resulting in an accident I couldn't live with myself.Remember I drove a wrecker and was a part of the volunteer rescue squad, I have seen too manyaccidents caused by faulty vehicles and it was more than a few that resulted in fatalities, and those Iwill never forget.

The True Cost of Automotive Maintenance

So back to the title; what is the true cost of preventive maintenance? Well the cost is the cost!Certain procedures cost a prescribe amount of money. Yes you can use more inexpensive parts, orfind a shop with a lower labor rate, or one that does not offer nationwide warranties as we do, butthe cost is just that. What I should really ask you is; what is the cost of not following a preventivemaintenance program? Let's go back to the dentist. How many cleanings could you have had donefor the price of a root canal or a crown? I would tend to think that the answer is quite a few. Thesame thing goes for a vehicle.

Don't Let Fluids Oxidize

By not performing simple and relatively inexpensive fluid flushes the amount of power steering rackfailures and intake manifold gasket failures would fall to near zero. Transmission fluid that isallowed to oxidize and lose it lubricity is a driving force in torque converter failures and sensorfailures. Cleaning your fuel injectors every 30,000 miles not only increases your fuel economy, itlessens the chance of the pintle of the injector from becoming deformed. And if you are lucky enoughto have owned a Ford F-150 with a 5.4, 3 valve engine, cleaning your injectors and the combustionchamber greatly reduces the chance of your spark plugs breaking in the head when you have tochange them.

Failure to Flush Brakes

Inspect Used Vehicle Purchases

Most importantly if you have bought a second hand vehicle or a third hand vehicle, remember this ifthe owners before you did not subscribe to the preventive maintenance procedures, it's YOU thatwill pay for their sins.

If you no idea what maintenance schedule needs to be followed, feel free to stop by and we will printyou up a maintenance schedule that is from your vehicle manufacturer's maintenance program.

There is No Good Time to Break Down

Lastly think of this; when you decide it's time to maintain your vehicle, it's up to you to decide onwhat day, or what time etc. The one thing we hear the most when a vehicle breaks down is, "THISCOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AT A WORSE TIME". Well this is no good time to break down just likethere is no good time to get sick.

As I always say PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE STARTS AT MILE 00001.

PS: If you even think that you might need brakes, October is "PUTTING THE BRAKE ON AUTISM"month so you can be safe, save money, and help us contribute to a great cause.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE REDUCES THE COST OF OWNERSHIP.

MAINTENANCE STARTS AT MILE 00001

Gregg's Automotive Maintenance Repair Center

236 S. Tamiami Tr.

Punta Gorda, Fl. 33950

941-575-8868

www.greggsauto.net

Auto Repair, A/C Repair, Oil Change, Brake Repair Transmission Services

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