5 Auto Services That Are Essential for Safety

Routine maintenance helps keep your car running well, but reliability isn't the only area that maintenance affects. At least five services also have a direct impact on safety, giving you another important reason to take care of these maintenance items.

Brakes have an obvious relationship to safety, for they're what bring your car to a halt in both everyday driving and emergency situations. As brakes wear down, they eventually become less effective and need to be replaced.

Replacing worn brakes will ensure your vehicle can still stop within an appropriate distance. Should you ever need to slam the brake pedal in order to avoid a deer, vehicle, or other obstacle, you'll be glad you have brakes that are in good condition.

Shocks and structs are two parts found in vehicle suspension systems, and your vehicle has at least one near each wheel. Both absorb bumps in the road, but they do so in slightly different ways. Shocks use hydraulic fluid and a piston to minimize vibrations, and struts use springs for the same purpose.

Like brakes, both of these parts wear down over time and need to be replaced. If they aren't replaced, your vehicle's ride will be bouncier and less comfortable. You'll also notice decreased responsiveness in the steering and longer braking distances. These are especially pronounced when driving over roads with potholes, speed bumps, gravel paths, or other uneven surfaces.

The exterior lights on a vehicle aren't exciting, but there's a reason most oil changes include checking the headlights, high beams, tail lights, reverse lights, turn signals, and fog lights (if a vehicle has them). Each light either increases visibility, makes your vehicle more noticeable, or does both. If any light malfunctions, the likelihood of an accident occurring increases.

Mechanics usually will look at your vehicle's lights anytime you bring your vehicle in. They may do this as part of a standardized procedure, and even if there isn't such a standard procedure in place, they're still trained to notice details like a light that's out.

You don't have to rely on mechanics only to check your vehicle's lights. You can also inspect them yourself periodically. All you need is a friend or family member to stand nearby and watch as you turn each light on and off. The process only takes a few moments, and you can schedule a service appointment if any lights are out.

While some drivers don't pay much attention to windshield washer fluid, it should be watched and refilled anytime it gets low. The fluid is formulated to help clear a windshield of water, dirt, bugs, and debris so you can see.

Even if you go many days with no issues, you never know when poor weather, mud that a vehicle kicks up, or bird droppings might impede your visibility. When something does land on your windshield, you need to have windshield washer fluid available so you can quickly clear the obstruction.

All of the other fluids in your vehicle, including the oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid, should also be kept at their proper levels.

Each of these fluids is in a different system and performs a different function, but they're all essential to the reliable and safe performance of your vehicle. If any fluid were to get too low, it could damage the engine, make the vehicle hard to control, and leave you stranded on the side of the road.

When your vehicle needs auto service, contact German Car Care to schedule an appointment.