Today in our Dr J’s Auto Clinic blog, we’re going to talk about following recommended service intervals. Your minivan isn’t the only aspect of your life in Albuquerque with recommended intervals: Let’s start with twice yearly dental check-ups and regular physical exams. How about laundry, watering the lawn and paying the bills?

Now, what would happen if you didn’t follow these intervals? Well, you’d get more cavities. You’d may not discover health conditions that could be more effectively treated with early detection. And you’d have to wear dirty clothes, be embarrassed by your brown lawn and have your utilities shut off.

Clearly, there are some things in life that we have to take care of regularly. If we don’t, there are negative consequences. Our quality of life in Albuquerque takes a hit and it inevitably costs more money.

So why is it so hard to remember to follow regular preventive maintenance on our minivans? Probably a couple of reasons. One is that automotive maintenance items just don’t seem that urgent. All our Albuquerque neighbors can see our dead lawn, but no one knows how dirty our transmission fluid is. It’s easy to put off. The other reason is that we’re just not as familiar with automotive maintenance, so it’s a bit intimidating.

From a practical standpoint, Albuquerque people don’t need to memorize their minivan owner’s manuals. You can let your Dr J’s Auto Clinic advisor remind you of the guidelines established by car makers: he has checklists of what the manufacturer recommends and can find potential problems when he inspects your minivan. You really can rely on Dr J’s Auto Clinic professionals to help you make good automotive decisions.

For Albuquerque drivers who want to be more proactive with their minivan care, here are some simple ways for Albuquerque motorists to remember what has a maintenance interval.

First: Fluids. If it’s liquid, it’s got a replacement schedule. Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid, etc.

Then think tires. They need air, rotation, balancing, and alignment. And while you’re thinking tires, don’t forget brakes and shock absorbers.

And what makes your minivan go? Air and fuel. Air filter replacement, fuel filters and fuel system cleaning. Of course there are more items, but if Albuquerque car owners remember to take their car or truck in to Dr J’s Auto Clinic for these things, their service advisor will help them with the rest.

And if you don’t follow recommended service intervals? You get lousy fuel efficiency, your minivan doesn’t run as well, your safety is compromised and you’ll spend more money in the long run. So it’s the same as everything else: The quality of your motoring life takes a hit and it ends up costing you more.

Reason enough for me to follow recommended service intervals.