The price of gasoline in McHenry has fallen recently with a precipitous decline in the price of crude oil on the stock market. Paying less for gasoline, you may feel inspired to drive more. Or, maybe you just don’t give it a second thought when reason or opportunity suggests climbing behind the wheel. The result is that you’re liable to put more miles on your car, truck or SUV than you did this time last year.

When you drive more the periods where maintenance of your vehicle is recommended, or required, come closer together. It’s important to remember that, based on the calendar, you’re liable to need oil changes for your car, truck or SUV, sooner than usual (some people have their oil changed on a schedule where the mileage is seldom a factor – to determine the schedule for changing your oil, look in your vehicle’s owner’s manual).

Changing the oil is one of the more critical aspects of maintaining your car, truck or SUV but it’s not the only one. Other maintenance procedures to consider include:

• Tire condition, tire pressure and tire rotation
• Wheel alignment and suspension
• Checking fluids – antifreeze/coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield-washer solvent, transmission fluid
• Checking battery and charging system
• Replacing air filters – engine and cabin filters

It all makes sense. If you’re driving more, you’re more likely to use the windshield-washer solvent; you’ll need to refill the reservoir sooner. The strain on the battery and charging system is greater. Filters will fill with particles of dirt sooner.

Consider the tires, alignment and suspension. The more you drive, the more wear you put on the tires, the more likely it is that you’ll pick up a nail somewhere, the greater chance you’ll have of hitting bumps that will knock your vehicle out of alignment.

As for the suspension, the springs, shocks and struts are designed to absorb tremendous amounts of blunt force. You might say that the suspension has a finite number of road shocks it can absorb. Driving more gives your car, truck or SUV more and more opportunities to hit potholes and bumps that will add wear to your suspension. And you don’t have to leave McHenry to find those potholes and bumps.

There’s no need to panic and you shouldn’t forgo using the vehicle because it will require more maintenance. But, when coming and going from your McHenry home, don’t lose sight of the need to stay on top of your car, truck or SUV so that it doesn’t let you down someday.