Truck Trend Homepage

Car Care: Maintenance 102


Pay most attention to the additional items the dealer recommends over what's in your owner's manual. If you don't want those extras, arm yourself with your vehicle-maintenance listing and tell the service representative this is what you want done and nothing more. He may try to sell you more service, but it's your vehicle and your decision. Keep in mind that it makes no sense to pay more for less service if the package price covers all your requirements and is cheaper than individual pricing. Every car, owner, and driving situation is different, and we can't tell you specifically what you should or shouldn't opt for. But more frequent replacement of fluids, filters, belts, and hoses generally means longer, more reliable vehicle life. If you're going to spend more, this is the first group of services to consider.

Under- or overmaintaining your vehicle are easy ways to fail Maintenance 102 (not to mention waste money, risk breakdowns, or possibly void your warranty). So do the math, and you'll figure out what's right for your ownership circumstances and budget. You'll pass with flying colors.


Prev  | 1  | 2
New Truck Price Quote
Get FREE, up-front new vehicle pricing and a no hassle buying experience.

2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: One of the most credible names in 4x4 gets tougher

Posted July 18 2008 10:31 AM by Mark Williams
If there's any name synonymous with four-wheel-drive capability, it's Jeep. And if there's any question about which Jeep is the most capable player on the team, there shouldn't be. The Wrangler has long been the ultimate...  more

You're Buying WOT? $42,875 Hard-core SUVs

  You think of the recent spike in gas prices not as a deterrent to buying a gas-hungry SUV, but as incentive to get the hard-core SUV of your dreams for a great price. The market is still full of choices to satiate your...more  

Must-See Truck Movies: When trucks turn into movie stars

  There are excellent movies that feature trucks prominently in the story line. Truck Trend ran John Pearly Huffman's " Top 10 Truck Movies " in the March/April 2007 issue. As with all lists, there's bound to be...more  

Life of a Salesman: Chery lawsuit latest turn for entrepreneur Bricklin

  I could see the train wreck coming when I interviewed Malcolm Bricklin a couple of years ago for the November 2005 issue of Motor Trend. His company, Visionary Vehicles, had signed a deal with Chery Automobile Company,...more  

Video Find: Hybrid Vehicles Compete in Cross-Country U.S. Race

  A group of motorists, who call themselves Hypermilers, are pushing their vehicles as they compete in a race across the U.S., known as the 2008 Hybridfest MPG Challenge. more  

 
 
50 Escape Hybrids to be added to NY Taxi services, GM and Nissan too!
This is a perfect example of where out hybrids need to be and should be at all times. Service... more
 
Lowrider Nationals August 3, 2008 - Kern County Bakersfield
I'm sure there will be some lowrider trucks and suvs at this show.. i've been to alot of LR shows... more
 
Mahindra Plans Second Production Plant for U.S. bound Trucks
[QUOTE] [bold]Mahindra Schedules Second Plant to Supply U.S. Market in 2009[/bold] NEW YORK –... more
 
New ford Flex = "La-Z-Boy"
In a recent article from wards, they say: [QUOTE] Timing is everything, and Ford Motor Co. has a... more