AAA is a proponent of proper scheduled maintenance for vehicles in order to keep them in the best possible condition. Most manufacturers provide their own suggestions for when cars should receive a tune up, and in many cars today there is an automated system that alerts drivers as to when they should have the automobile checked out.
A study by AAA reports that 51 percent of drivers rely solely on their car to remind them to have maintenance work done, while 63 percent of all drivers have a built-in system electronic that acts as the reminder.
"The advancements in modern maintenance reminder systems take the guesswork out of deciding when to take your vehicle in for service," said John Nielsen, director of AAA Automotive Engineering and Repair. "The challenge now is educating consumers to trust that their vehicle will alert them when maintenance is needed."
In order to get the most out of these updates, AAA recommends that drivers learn the basics of each alert and pay attention to the system. Becoming educated on the vehicle's maintenance schedule and taking factors such as weather and mileage into account can help to extend the life of a car and improve fuel economy. Checking things like brakes, tires, fluid levels and batteries is essential to keeping a car in top shape.