The key to a long lasting and dependable vehicle is preventive maintenance. Following the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual will insure that your car is properly cared for. The schedule includes routine services such as oil changes and filter changes and also includes recommended intervals to inspect other components such as brakes and steering and suspension components.

A simple oil change done on a regular basis by an experienced technician can prevent headaches down the road by identifying worn parts or needed repairs before they result in a breakdown. Regular oil changes are the best bet if you want long engine life.  Coolant and transmission fluids also usually have a recommended change interval to insure longevity.

The “tune up” of old is pretty much a thing of the past. Current cars with their electronic powertrain controls keep things running very consistently. There are still parts (at least spark plugs and filters) that need to be changed on a regular basis, although most vehicles use a platinum tipped spark plug with intervals of 100,000 miles or more. If you have a performance problem and your maintenance is current, you probably have a part failure which will require diagnosis.