November 22, 2020
In many places, license plates have to be renewed every year or else you can't drive your vehicle legally. Usually, you'll get a reminder from the agency that issues the plates.
That kind of regular attention needs to be paid to your vehicle as well. Its manufacturer has determined a schedule of service items that need to be done regularly, just like renewing your plates.
Some depend on time, others depend on distance. A perfect example is oil changes. It's the most important scheduled maintenance you can have done to give your engine its longest life possible. The manufacturer recommends the oil filter be changed at the same time.
Here are some more items. Your engine air filter gets dirty and needs adequate air to run most efficiently. The manufacturer recommends an interval for replacing that. Also tires, brake pads, timing belt, oxygen sensor and other items require regular replacement.
This is one of the reasons to find a service facility that you like and keep going there. Many will keep records of what's been done to your vehicle and send you reminders of when it's time to schedule service items. Some do it by mail, others by email. Still others might text you or give you a phone call. Remember, they base those reminders on the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
We all have a lot going on in our lives, so these reminders can help you avoid missing important service items that are important to your vehicle's durability and safety. So if you move or change phone numbers or email addresses, make sure your vehicle service facility gets the word. Otherwise you won't get the reminders and your service advisor will wonder what's happened to you!
At the same time, you might want to let your vehicle manufacturer know when you've changed your address, phone number or email address. If there is a safety recall or your manufacturer is offering an extended warranty on some of your vehicle's systems, they'll need to reach you.
Tuffy Wyoming
4315 Clyde Park Ave. SW
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
616.534.8643
March 30, 2025
A driver called in to the shop the other day saying his European sports sedan had an odd problem. He was driving when his car started to slow down. Applying more throttle didn't help. He pulled over to the side of the road, shut the engine off and waited a few minutes before starting it up aga... More
March 23, 2025
If your vehicles power goes to the rear wheels, then you have something called U-joints in the drivetrain. U-joints are connectors that allow the rotating power from your vehicles engine to deliver its power through a driveshaft to make the rear wheels rotate. You need U-joints because the surfa... More
March 16, 2025
Your vehicle's engine is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a power plant. But it has another power source that is vital as well: the alternator. The alternator is what puts out the electricity that powers such things as your lights, power windows, sound system, and na... More