The current state of the automotive market is turned upside down: order books swollen, new vehicles that are long overdue, significant price increases for used vehicles. In this rather pessimistic context, consumers are choosing to keep their vehicle (or to buy it at the end of the lease). And they are not alone. According to the Statistical Institute of Quebec, the aging of the vehicle fleet is accelerating. For example, before the pandemic, there were 1,251,379 cars and light trucks over 11 years old in the Belle Province; 24 months later, that number was up to just over 200,000. Some maintenance is required.
It cannot be repeated enough, a well-kept maintenance record will not only prolong the useful life of a vehicle, but will also make it – if necessary – more attractive at the time of resale.
Despite the progress made by the automotive industry to extend the life of certain components (spark plugs, for example), periodic maintenance remains a necessity and does not call for any dispute. And yet, yes. Consumers have neglected to follow the most basic recommendations of the manufacturer. Examples ? Here are two that will do the trick: not meeting the recommended octane rating for an internal combustion engine or the false impression that an electric vehicle is maintenance-free. And, in today’s economic environment, we can only assume the rest: a ‘however’ interview.
And since warranty administration is the responsibility of the builder, they have the “privilege” of setting the rules of the game.
The maintenance recommended by the manufacturer takes precedence at all times over that of the dealer or independent workshop. These sometimes offer checks that you could normally perform yourself: checking tire pressure and wear, replacing windshield wipers, adding engine oil and much more.
If you drive more than 18,000 km per year, maintenance intervals must be observed. On the other hand, if you drive very little, the question arises.
Imagine that you are recommended an inspection every three months or 6000 km. But in that same period, you only cover 1500 km. So the temptation would be great, given the costs associated with these inspections, to skip a few. While we recognize that mileage determines actual wear, the fact remains that some components are directly affected by time, weather conditions, and even road conditions. Hence the importance of complying with the instructions listed in the maintenance booklet. If not, some of the indicator lights on the dashboard will be sure to remind you of your responsibilities. The computer connected to these lights establishes the frequency of maintenance by calculating the number of revolutions per minute of the engine, the number of times the vehicle has been started, etc. But it does not take into account any measure of the time elapsed between inspections.
As soon as the warranty expires, many motorists leave the dealership network in favor of independent workshops or supermarkets. Most are able to perform the same inspections, the same routine maintenance. But before having recourse to these establishments, it must first be ensured that each of the checks will be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations using appropriate equipment.
