Investing in Vehicle Maintenance Can Pay Dividends At Selling/Trade-In Time
(NAPSM)—Besides a home, a • Take a few moments to walk
vehicle is one of the biggest in- around the vehicle and make sure
vestments a consumer will make. all the lightbulbs work.
That investment extends beyond • Maintain a clean air filter. A
the sticker in the vehicle’s win- clogged air intake system can lead
dow. It includes insurance, fuel, to poor vehicle performance and
regularly scheduled maintenance reduce fuel economy.
and depreciation. • Look under the vehicle occa-
The good news is that today’s new sionally for leaks.
cars and trucks are designed and • Wash the vehicle regularly to
built to run for more than 100,000 remove corrosive substances such
miles, remain in service an average as road salt, and so that small
of 16 years and serve four to five dif- dings or loose trim pieces can be
ferent owners. So while some costs— identified and repaired early.
such as insurance premiums and • Rotate tires on a regular
gas—are largely outside of consumers’ basis, and keep them properly
When a vehicle is properly main-
control, financially savvy owners can inflated and correctly aligned.
tained, it can mean thousands of
actively help improve their bottom “Poorly maintained tires can be
dollars in added value when it
line at sale or trade-in by keeping expensive to replace and may
comes time to sell.
their vehicles properly maintained. impact resale value,” adds Gehl.
“A vehicle that has been well- Blue Book offers a 16-question online “But more importantly, well-
maintained can be worth thou- quiz: The answers help determine maintained tires are critical to the
sands more at sale or trade-in,” values based on conditions ranging safe performance of a vehicle.”
said Joni Gray, consumer advice from excellent to fair. Criteria include What is a
editor for Kelley Blue Book, a noted condition of the engine, transmis- Multipoint Inspection?
authority on vehicle resale value. sion, body, tires, brakes, interior, GM Goodwrench offers conve-
“That money can be used toward HVAC systems and even the exis- nient, efficient, multipoint inspec-
the purchase of a new vehicle.” tence of service records. tions for vehicles, comprehensive
For definitive answers on GM “If you’ve had your vehicle main- diagnostic testing and complete ser-
vehicle maintenance, vehicle own- tained and serviced at any GM vice capabilities to help customers
ers need look no further than their Goodwrench dealership, you will be keep their vehicles operating prop-
owner’s manual and the nearest GM able to provide documentation of the erly. GM dealerships offer the fol-
Goodwrench dealership. The man- vehicle’s entire service record history, lowing inspection services:
ual details the regular maintenance even if you weren’t good at keeping • Transmission, drive shaft
and preventive procedures recom- individual paper receipts,” says and u-joints
mended for keeping vehicles in opti- Stephanie Gehl, GM Service and Parts • Radiator, heater and air-con-
mum condition; trained technicians Operations Portfolio manager, Quick ditioning hoses
at nearly 7,000 GM dealerships can Service Products. • Interior lights, exterior
perform the services. Maintenance Improving Resale lamps, brake lamps, turn signals
The Bottom Line Most drivers know part of regu- and hazard warning lights
According to ADESA Analytical lar maintenance includes changing • Exhaust system
Services, nearly half of consumers— the vehicle’s oil regularly, but there • Engine air cleaner filter
47 percent—keep new vehicles for are other things they can do to help • Suspension and steering sys-
between one and four years. That improve their vehicle’s bottom line tem components
means those who sell or trade need at sale or trade-in. GM Goodwrench For more information, visit
to know the vehicle’s value. Kelley recommends the following: www.goodwrench.com.