One Thing Leads to Another As with anything of value, it only makes sense to take care of it, especially with an item that has so many moving parts. The vehicle should be looked at as a complete system in order to maximize your preventative maintenance program. The reason is that smaller components or procedures can have a huge effect on the larger more expensive components. For example, improperly inflated tires will lead to the road chewing up that expensive rubber, cutting the tire's life expectancy drastically. Neglecting oil changes can result in devastating consequences to the engine and its performance.
Any breakdown can be a major ordeal, involving unnecessary cost and inconvenience.
The thought of waiting by the side of the road for help, or a loved one broken down at night in a deserted area should be a great motivator for a preventative maintenance program. I cannot stress enough how maintaining your car can prevent these large and expensive problems down the road. Two of the more popular books are Chilton and Haynes, available at most automotive stores. If you prefer more instructional photos, I recommend the Haynes manual. The manual has two functions.