Basic Maintenance Schedules For Foreign Vehicles

You may see your foreign car as a masterpiece of engineering, but this doesn't mean it will remain running great without regular maintenance. Like many high-performance European cars, it's vital to keep up with a regular maintenance schedule to keep them working their best. While the main maintenance schedule may depend partly on the year, make and model of your car, below are a few things you need to make sure you keep up with no matter which model you own. 

General Maintenance

General maintenance includes the following:

• Oil and filter changes

• Tire checks

• Wiper and washer fluid checks

• Brake system inspection

The interval for this varies depending on the type of car, but the information is readily available in the owner's manual. For most vehicles, this will be the once annual checkup. Your mechanic will also usually perform a general inspection of your brake system, just to make sure there are no leaks and the pads are in good condition. For example, some Audi cars are equipped with the diesel particle filter, which helps lower emissions, so they will also need this filter checked or replaced at this time.

The tire service may be separate from the general service visit. In some cases, you may need to take the car into the tire shop that provided your tires. They will inspect the tires for uneven wear or damage. They should also rebalance and rotate the tires at this time.

Comprehensive Maintenance

Once again, the mileage intervals for this maintenance depends on the make and model of your car, but it's available in the owner's manual. Standard maintenance tasks include the following:

• Cooling system fluid check and top-off

• Engine leak inspection

• Battery inspection

• Spark plug inspection

• Air filter inspection or cleaning, depending on model

• Frame inspection

• Transmission inspection

• Pollen filter replacement

There may also be additional service requirements for hybrid cars, such as inspecting the battery and the diagnostic computer that governs the electric drive systems. Some cars may also have their own specific issues that need to be addressed at this time. For example, some Audi models are prone to squeaky doors and hatch hinges, so your mechanic may recommend lubricating these.

Don't be surprised if the myriad of inspections turn up some minor repair issues. By repairing them now, you can save yourself a breakdown and major replacement cost later.

After each service visit, make sure your foreign-car mechanic (such as one from Wolfe's Foreign Auto) resets the service light so it will automatically turn on and remind you when it's time for your next service visit.

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