5 Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Mazda Vehicle in Great Shape

5 Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Mazda Vehicle In Great Shape

Congrats! You’ve just driven off our lot here at Safford Mazda of Fredericksburg with your brand-new Mazda vehicle. However, your responsibilities as a car owner don’t stop there. Mazda vehicles are known for their reliability, but with enough neglect, any vehicle regardless of brand can start showing worrying symptoms. For those who are new, or need a refresher on car maintenance, here are 5 great maintenance tips to keep your Mazda in tip-top shape!

Tip #1: Check On Your Tires

This tip seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised as to how many people don’t change or even think about their tire condition. Especially check the treads of your tire, as a “bald” tire can lead to abnormal handling as the tires lose traction and control. One great way to check the tire tread of your car is to simply place a penny in between the treads. Place the penny with Abraham Lincoln’s head pointed downwards. If the top part of Abraham Lincoln’s head (just below his forehead) disappears, your tires are in decent condition. However, if the penny stops right above Lincoln’s head (where his hair ends), you need new tires.

Checking your tire pressure is important as well. Simply go to your local gas station and use their tire pressure gauge. Compare your tire pressure with the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, and add air accordingly. Don’t over-inflate your tires, however, as they can lead to…explosive results. If you’re not confident or lack the tools to do so, our service department here at Safford Mazda of Fredericksburg Virginia is more than ready to assist you!

Tip #2: Be on Top Of Your Oil Changes

Changing your oil is essential to your engine and overall vehicle health. Neglecting to do so can cause engine issues that can eventually cost thousands of dollars. Yes, regular oil is cheaper, but if your car requires synthetic, bite the bullet, and go with synthetic. Your car will thank us later. It’s recommended to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but check your owner’s manual for exact numbers.

Tip #3: Check Your Battery

Personally, I’ve been guilty of this. All I’ve got to say is that having your car die in the middle of Dulles Airport’s pick-up lane was a really, really annoying experience and something that could have been easily prevented. Your car battery will last 3-5 years, but your environment and weather can heavily affect its lifespan. When you approach the 3rd year mark, schedule an appointment with our service department and get your battery checked! Towing Fees are seriously not worth it.

Tip #4: Transmission Fluid

Make a habit of checking your transmission fluid every 40,000 miles or so. New vehicles typically need transmission fluid changes every 100,000 miles or so, and neglecting this can lead to costly repairs. Give us a call once your Mazda reaches 40,000 miles and we’ll check if everything is in proper, working order.

Tip #5: Use The Right Gasoline

Make sure to use the right type of gasoline for your car! For example, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 can use regular gasoline, but it performs its best when using 93-octane fuel! Make sure to check your owner’s manual for vehicle-specific details.

If you have any concerns, click on this link to schedule an appointment! We have plenty of skilled professionals ready to take care of your Mazda vehicle.