Submitted by Eddy Culberson of Christian Brothers Automotive

Regular maintenance performed by a professional automotive repair facility is the most important thing you can do for your vehicle.

Most professional shops will have a technician who looks at all of the vehicles that come in for oil changes. They will notice anything out of the ordinary and can tell if brake service is due, if shocks or other suspension components need to be replaced and can diagnose the issue behind a check engine light.

Professional automotive repair shops offer competitive pricing on oil changes and other fluid flushes required by all manufacturers at certain mileage intervals. Many times you get the satisfaction work is performed by an ASE-certified technician who is highly qualified to maintain your vehicle, regardless of the make or year model.

The most basic preventative maintenance procedure is to check is your engine oil. This can tell you what condition your engine is in or let you know that an oil change is in order. If the engine oil is low and it’s not time for an oil change, top it off. Go to your local automotive repair shop and ask them if there is an oil leak or oil consumption issue that you need to be concerned with.

Good engine oil should be the color of honey or apple juice – a nice, golden color and smooth to the touch. If you check your engine oil and it is dark brown or black, change it soon. Oil is designed to hold dirt and moisture in suspension while lubricating the moving parts inside the engine. When the engine oil is dirty, it is time to be changed.

Automobile manufacturers have a service schedule that should be followed as closely as possible to get the optimum performance, longevity and reliability from your vehicle. The fluids should all be checked, even between oil changes, to ensure that all they are full and clean. Regular flushes of power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid and engine coolant should be done every 50,000 to 60,000 miles or two years, based or manufacturer's recommendations. At least once a year you should have the throttle body cleaned to prevent hard stats in winter and increase mileage throughout the year.

Maintaining your vehicle can help stretch your dollar and avoid unforeseen repairs. A professional service shop can help you schedule maintenance and take care of your repair needs. Keep up with your regular maintenance and add life to your automobile.

Christian Brothers Automotive is located in Fort Worth, Texas. As of June 30, 2011, this service provider was highly rated on Angie’s List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check AngiesList.com for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie’s List.