Walt’s Auto Service’s Top 9 Recommended Services
“Regular maintenance is the best way to care for your car.” Kay Kirts, Owner of Walt’s Auto Service, Inc.
Benefits of Prevention through proper maintenance
- It makes your car care more convenient because it can be scheduled instead of an untimely breakdown.
- Saves you at least 46% compared to repairs.
- Extends the life of your vehicles.
- Improves the resale value of the vehicle.
#1 Oil Change Service
Key Benefits: Prevents very costly major repairs, extends the life of the car’s engine, reduces your worries about engine failure.
Cost of Neglect: Neglect here can be very expensive. common repairs can cost between $1500 and $4000 (sometimes much higher). Additionally, the car is out of service for several days. The inconvenience and expense of a breakdown and towing also have to be considered.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Every 3,000 to 4,000 miles change the oil and the oil filter.
#2 Automatic Transmission Service
Key Benefits: Extends the life of the car, prevents a major repair, provides smooth operation and a solid feel that can be lost with wear and neglect and gives you peace of mind about your car’s dependability.
Cost of Neglect: It is common to see repairs that cost between $1500 and $4000. Additionally, the car is out of service for several days. The inconvenience and expense of breakdown and towing also have to be considered.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Every 15,000 miles or once a year.
#3 Cooling System Recommendation
Key Benefits: Extends the life of the car, prevents a major repair, keeps the engine cooler and reduces your worry about engine failure.
Cost of Neglect: It is common to see repairs that cost between $1500 and $4000. Additionally, the car is out of service for several days. The inconvenience and expense of breakdown and towing also have to be considered.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: 1: Check once a year, and flushed every 15,000 miles. 2: Have all your hoses and belts checked each year. 3: Throughout the year, check your coolant level. We commonly do this (among other important checks) each time you bring your car in for services such as an oil change.
#4 Brake Fluid Flush Service
Key Benefits: Improves car’s stopping ability, improves safety, extends the life of the car, prevents expensive and inconvenient repairs, relatively inexpensive to service, improves pedal feel.
Cost of Neglect: Brake, hydraulic and ABS repairs that range from a few hundred dollars to $2000.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Check the fluid system every year, check the brake pads and linings at least every year, have the fluids flushed every 20,000 to 30,000 miles.
#5 Power Steering Service
Key Benefits: Provides factory steering feel which over time and neglect can become noisy and rough feeling, prevents expensive repairs, extends the life of your car.
Cost of Neglect: Pumps, hoses, rack and pinion unit repairs range from a few hundred to few thousand dollars.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Every 20,000 to 30,000. or at least every other year.
#6 Fuel System Service
Key Benefits: Like-New performance, increased fuel economy, increased reliability and quicker startups.
Cost of Neglect: A plugged fuel filter can damage a very expensive fuel pump, costing you up to $1000.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Every 15,000 to 30,000 or at least every other year.
#7 Differential / Axle Service
Key Benefits: Prevention of a costly and inconvenient major repair.
Cost of Neglect: Repairs here range from $900 to $2000 plus time, towing, car rental, etc. Expect a minimum of 3-4 days of downtime for the repair of this problem.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Check every year, service every 20,000-30,000 miles.
#8 Alignment and Tire Balance
Key Benefits: Longer tire life, smoother (like a new car) handling, increased fuel economy, improved safety, and sometimes quicker stops.
Cost of Neglect: Premature tire wear, increased fuel costs, reduced safety and reduced handling.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Check every year, service every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, vehicles driven off-road should get checked more frequently.
#9 Air Conditioning Service
Key Benefits: Optimum air conditioning performance, extended system life, prevention of a major and expensive repair, improves driver comfort.
Cost of Neglect: Average repair is between $500 and $2300.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals: Check every year, service every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, vehicles driven off-road should get checked more frequently.