For some time now I have been urging people to get regular checkups, as opposed to only going to a mechanic when there is a problem. This is what I do and I have been happily surprised by how much money I have saved by regularly maintaining my truck. On my last check-up, however, Marty;s found an expensive (for me) problem. I was clearly surprised.
Now I have a sister who takes her vehicle to a mechanic only when there is a definite problem. She can't understand my taking to truck to Marty's when it is running fine. What she fails to understand is those 'unnecessary' inspections are what keep the trunk running relatively problem free. And what if I get a problem anyway? First I am probably lucky they found the problem in the garage, and not when I was on the road. Besides, it is unreasonable to expect there will never be a mechanical problem. Problems happen. But I've been driving for fifty years and I can't ever recall a problem fixing itself. They get worse, not better, when you ignore them. And worse usually means more expensive. So, I say again: get regular inspections from a mechanic you trust, Despite the occasional problem, you will still save money over time. Mel Zeichner.
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