Factory maintenance refers to the recommended service schedule by the manufacture, which is outlined in the owner’s manual of your vehicle. Every vehicle on the road comes with instructions that cover everything from how to set the radio, how to change a tire, how to read the symbols on the dash, and how to properly maintain the vehicle. It’s called an “owner’s manual,” and it typically is found in the glove compartment.
Following maintenance schedules can be tricky for car owners for a handful of reasons. First, they rely on the customer to determine which schedule should be followed: “normal” or “severe.” And, some manuals contain information for several vehicles or for components with which your vehicle may not be equipped. Furthermore, important maintenance items are often left out of the schedule in the manual, such as brake fluid replacement. All-in-all, they provide a checklist for the owner and mechanic, but the mechanic inspection would dictate what needs to be repaired based on the condition of the individual car.
At Sant Automotive, keeping track of your maintenance easy. We check factory recommendations to see what to look out for based on your make and model, and with a thorough inspection we’ll advice you on what maintenance items are actually necessary to prioritize.