Keeping up with recommended car maintenance saves time, money and the environment.

By Chelsea Bancroft, Photos by Devan Shumann & Matthew Henry, Sponsored content by Mazda

I’ll be the first to admit I used to look at the sticker on my windshield and completely ignore the recommended date/mileage for my next oil change. My friends and I would even laugh and joke when comparing who was the most past the recommended date. But after working in the auto industry for a while now, I understand why it’s so important to keep up with your car’s maintenance schedule. While this isn’t the most exciting topic, it’s one of the most important. Here are eight reasons why:

Get Better Performance and Reliability

Following your car’s recommended maintenance schedule keeps it running smoother and more reliably. The best thing you can do for your vehicle is get its oil changed regularly. Do you think it’s not a big deal? You’d probably change your mind if you found yourself stranded due to car troubles that could’ve been avoided. Not changing your oil as suggested can cause serious engine damage and eventually lead to engine failure, which is not a cheap fix.

Save Money

Are you annoyed with paying for routine maintenance? Imagine the price of having to replace an entire engine. Though it may not seem like it, routine maintenance actually saves you money in the long run. For example, tires aren’t cheap, but driving on worn tires can lead to blowouts, which can cause suspension damage. I guarantee you’ll wish you’d shelled out for tires when you see that bill.

Save Time

No one wants to take even a little time out of their day to wait for an oil change or 5,000-mile service, but imagine how long it would take to have a major engine repair done. Your vehicle may end up in the repair shop for days. Some places, Roger Beasley among them, offer a loaner car during that time, but it’s a lot cheaper and less time-consuming to keep up with your vehicle as recommended.

Maintain the Warranty

Sometimes things just go wrong with a vehicle, which is why it’s nice to be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. But did you know not following your vehicle’s factory maintenance schedule could void your vehicle’s warranty?

Get Better Gas Mileage

Keeping your car in good shape helps it perform at its best, which makes a big difference for your gas mileage. If you’ve noticed the miles per gallon decreasing, have your car’s air filters checked, as that can be one of the biggest factors and the easiest to fix.

Increase Resale Value

When it comes time to sell your vehicle, being able to show the potential buyer that you have kept up with your car’s maintenance can seriously increase its value. Keeping a record of your maintenance service appointments and receipts is great for showing you’ve taken care of your car. There are even mobile apps designed just for that purpose. (Check out Autosist.)

Help Save the Planet

We Austinites pride ourselves on being green, with our shunning of plastic bags and nationally ranked renewable-energy programs. Let’s keep it that way by getting our cars checked regularly. Malfunctioning parts can cause your vehicle to release more harmful emissions into the air.

Stay Safe

Above all, sticking to your maintenance schedule keeps your car running properly, and a properly running car is a safer car.

You can find your car’s recommended maintenance schedule in the owners manual. At Roger Beasley Mazda, we make it easy to see what your specific Mazda model will need at certain milestones in the service section of our website under Online Maintenance Menu. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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