Creating A Happier Automotive Environment

3 Service Tips Every Foreign-Vehicle Owner Should Know

by Katrina Morgan

Some high-end, foreign vehicles are designed and built with luxury and longevity in mind. While this level of quality makes taking care of the vehicle easier, it is not a task that comes without effort. As a foreign-vehicle owner, you have to be committed to maintenance to protect your vehicle. 

1. Plan Ahead

As the owner of a foreign-brand vehicle, you should not put off repairs. For instance, take the tensioner belt, a belt that helps maintain tension within the other belts in the engine compartment. Tensioner belts typically fail gradually, but if repairs are ignored, water pump and alternator failure can occur due to the wear caused by too much or too little tension. 

With foreign vehicles, replacement part availability can sometimes be scarcer than domestic vehicles. So, if you hold off on repairs and you have to wait for the part to arrive, you might be forced to wait longer for your repairs, which might be an issue if the repair wasn't planned. It's best to perform the repair early when it's more convenient. 

2. Keep Service Records

Make note of all your service records, including everything from oil changes to air filter replacements to belt replacements. The more detailed the record, the better. A maintenance log is an easy way to keep track of your vehicle's condition. 

For example, in the event of an unexplained issue with your foreign vehicle, a skilled auto technician can review your record and look for cues or patterns that might offer some feedback on what's going on. However, a detailed service record is also important to a vehicle's value. Should you trade or sell the car in the future, you have evidence that your car doesn't just look good, but that it's also in great shape. 

3. Maintain Tires

It's important to maintain the engine and transmission, but did you know that it's equally important to maintain your tires? Tires have a lot to do with the maneuverability of a vehicle. For instance, when a vehicle's tires are underinflated, the engine has to work harder to move the vehicle, and the brakes have to work harder to stop the car.

As with any other mechanical system, excess work translates into excess wear. Regularly checking the PSI rating of your vehicle and having the tires replaced once they are worn can go a long way in keeping the rest of your vehicle's systems performing efficiently. 

The better care you take of your vehicle, the better and longer it will perform for you. Do your best to maintain any type of foreign vehicle with a repair shop that specialises in them, such as a place that offers Lexus auto shop services.

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