You rarely deal with the same mechanic or service advisor, so there's no personal relationshipĭealerships aren’t the only game in town to get car maintenance.There’s usually only one dealership for each brand in a city.They often get backed up, leading to long waits.Their parts costs can also be high since they're OEM.Hourly labor rates are often $15-$20 higher than a local repair shop.There are loads of upsides to dealerships, but they have a few negatives, including: They usually have free Wi-Fi and tables where you can surf the internet or work.They’re often cleaner than small repair shops with a better overall ambiance.They generally have top-notch customer lounges with free snacks and drinks.They usually have your parts in stock or can get them quickly.They can search for incomplete recalls and technical service bulletins and fix them for free while you're there.They have the most experience with your type of vehicle.Technicians are trained specifically on that brand, though they can work on any brand vehicle.They use only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.There are many great reasons to consider a dealership, including: Both are solid options with pros and cons to each. You can go to a car dealership that sells your type of vehicle or head to a repair shop. Other than DIY maintenance, there are two choices for getting professional car maintenance. But first, let’s review the main options you have when it comes to car maintenance. You'll also discover some top car maintenance tips for avoiding overspending. That said, below is a list of the common vehicle maintenance items you'll need to complete along with their recommended kilometer and time intervals. These intervals will vary slightly, as some vehicles have higher tolerances that allow oils and other fluids to last longer. Your car's manufacturer sets most of the maintenance intervals for your vehicle and lists them in the "maintenance" section of the owner's manual. Plus, if you have a new car with a warranty or purchase a pre-owned vehicle with an extended warranty, damages caused by improper or insufficient maintenance may not be covered. Without proper car maintenance, your vehicle will eventually suffer excessive wear and break down prematurely.
A key part of car ownership is maintenance.