If your maintenance is good, the answer is more likely positive

Yes, it’s 2020 in McHenry. Hopefully, it’s a good year for you. Good health for you and your loved ones, freedom from financial worries, happy relationships: these are some of the key factors we consider when contemplating what it will take to have a good year. Related to these, in more ways than one, is the hope that your car, truck or SUV will provide cost-effective and reliable transportation.

If you have trouble with your vehicle, this could lead to financial challenges. If your car, truck or SUV won’t run, you may annoy others asking for rides and put pressure on relationships. And the worry over a vehicle that is giving your problems could adversely affect your health – physically and emotionally.

Clearly, your car is an important part of your life living here in McHenry. If it runs trouble free, you probably won’t even think about it. But if your car, truck or SUV breaks down, it’s like a stone you can’t get out of your shoe. It will come to dominate your life.

They key to ensuring your car will have a good 2020 is maintenance. That starts with changing the oil on schedule while making sure that you have enough oil in the reservoir between oil changes. But you need to do more than that.

Effective automotive maintenance includes other scheduled service, as well. For instance, you’ll want to check:

• Belts
• Hoses
• Fluids
• Lights
• Tires – inflation and condition
• Battery and Charging systems
• Brakes
• Suspension and Steering systems
• Alignment

Some of these items, such as the oil level and tire inflation, should be checked frequently. Others, such as belts, hoses and other fluids, should be checked every 3 months or 3,000 miles, six months or 6,000 miles and 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Do this regularly and you’re car, truck or SUV is likely to have a better 2020. Neglect any of these and your vehicle could make the year a rough one for you in McHenry.