If we are being honest, part of the joy of living in Southern California is being able to hit the road and head to the beach, or to just enjoy the wind in your hair. But to keep the good times “rolling,” it is vital to make sure your car is properly maintained and kept in good condition.
You may not find car maintenance fun or exciting, but it can keep your vehicle running smoothly and keep you safer on the road. Proper maintenance also helps your car’s value stay relatively high and can prevent more costly repairs.
Maintenance may also avoid some causes of accidents: blown tires, defective brakes, or steering that no longer responds quickly. Here are three big reasons why we at NordstrandBlack PC recommend regular maintenance:
- Safety First!
More than anything else, maintaining your vehicle is about making sure you and everyone else on the road stay safe. You should have your brakes checked routinely and rotate your tires not just because it could save you money down the line, but because it could save a life today. Accidents can be caused by driver error or distraction, certainly; but crashes can also be due to faulty brakes or a tire blowout while a vehicle is cruising down the freeway. Maintenance can help you avoid accidents and the injuries they cause.
- A Smooth Ride
Proper maintenance also makes your car run better, which means you can enjoy the ride more. Your tires are particularly important when it comes to how your car, pickup truck, or SUV feels while you’re driving it. Rotating your tires is important, as is replacing them when they wear down. Routinely checking your tire pressure, which is quick and easy, and filling your tires when they get too low, gives you better control of your vehicle. Plus, on long drives, it can help increase your gas mileage.
- Dollars and Good Sense
At the end of the day, proper car maintenance is also about saving you money. It is much cheaper to replace your tires right now than to deal with a collision caused by a blowout, or to have repairs done on your suspension after a crash. When it comes to engine maintenance, routine inspection and repair is even more important, as serious engine work or replacement can nearly be as expensive as buying a new car.
In addition, if you plan to sell your vehicle in the future, proper maintenance will help ensure the value of your vehicle remains as high as possible.
However, even if you properly maintain your vehicle, you cannot ensure that everyone else on the road has done the same. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s reckless driving or poor car maintenance, call NordstrandBlack PC at (805) 962-2022. Our Santa Barbara car accident lawyers will be able to examine your situation in a free consultation, and help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other losses.