Skimping on maintenance is truly false economy

Ron Loveys

TADA PRESIDENT

Last month, J.D. Power and Associates released a study suggesting that Canadian car owners are spending less on repairs and maintenance, compared to the previous year.

The study claimed that average expenditures on vehicle maintenance dropped 7 per cent from 2008 to 2009.

The obvious trigger for this trend is the slowing of the economy, as car owners are opting to delay non-essential maintenance on their vehicles or looking for the lowest-cost option.

Still, the study surprised me. I would have suspected that with the overall decline in new-car sales, and as people are keeping their vehicles longer, repairs and maintenance costs would increase.

Car owners pay a steep price when they ignore regularly scheduled maintenance, or seek the lowest option. Whatever type of vehicle you drive, maintenance is an essential element of owning and operating it.

I've seen situations where car owners have ignored basic maintenance for years. Over time, their vehicles become less reliable and are more prone to breakdowns, and it diminishes the vehicles' values.

There are five solid reasons why car owners should not ignore vehicle maintenance and repairs.

It's a matter of safety for you, your loved ones and your fellow motorists.

If tires or brakes are worn out, they pose a serious driving risk. If you are involved in a traffic accident and it can be proven that you knowingly drove an unsafe vehicle, it could result in litigation.

Failure to conduct recommended maintenance could void your new-car warranty. In certain situations, a dealership or manufacturer could decline warranty coverage if specific maintenance procedures have been ignored.

For instance, let's say you hear a loud clunking noise in the engine soon after taking delivery of a new car. Rather than taking the vehicle to your dealership right away, you decide to wait a few months or longer.

By then, the problem will probably have gotten worse. The dealership would have a case for refusing to honour the warranty due to negligence on the part of the owner.

Proper maintenance will save you money in the long run. A well-maintained vehicle operates more efficiently, burns less fuel and is less susceptible to breaking down.

Take the time to learn about the maintenance requirements on your vehicle. Your owner's manual contains a lot of useful information about when to change the oil and filter, when to rotate tires, how to check the radiator overflow reservoir, etc.

Regular maintenance will not only enhance your vehicle's performance – it will ensure that it maintains optimum value when it comes time to trade or sell.

Any used-car manager will tell you that a well-maintained vehicle will command a higher price than a vehicle with a spotty service record. Often, the price difference can amount to thousands!

Some maintenance requirements are mandated by law. Failure to meet these mandates can lead to fines or (possibly) seizure of your vehicle. I'm referring here to vehicle emissions, tire tread and exterior lights (brake and signal lights).

Now that fall is here, it would be wise to conduct an assessment on the condition of your vehicle. If there are outstanding repair or maintenance issues, get them addressed right away.

This is also a good time to start thinking about winterizing your vehicle. Every year, service departments are inundated with customers after the first snowfall of the season, leading to bottlenecking and delays.

A final point: The J.D. Power study also showed that the role of the service adviser accounts for 18 per cent of overall driver satisfaction. So choose your service facility wisely.

This column represents the views

of TADA. Email president@tada.ca

or visit tada.ca.

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