Many people spend a lot of time and money choosing the right car to buy. To receive the best value out of the vehicle, the same effort should go into maintaining a car. Car maintenance is important to maintaining the life of a car. Although it seems like a necessary evil, few things are worse than being stranded on the side of the road because your vehicle stopped working properly. Your vehicle stalling can prove to be inconvenient and hazardous to your safety. Although car problems are difficult to avoid completely, maintaining your car substantially decreases your chances for car issues.Routine Car MaintenanceChanging the oil in a car is arguably the most important task falling under routine car maintenance. Changing the oil on a regular basis helps to keep the engine performing correctly. A car's brakes wear down as the car is used. The first sign that the brakes need replacing is a squealing noise that occurs when you hit the brakes. Maintaining good brakes is important to the vehicle stopping properly. Fluids in a car should be checked periodically. Important fluids include brake fluid, Transmission Fluid, antifreeze coolant, and Power Steering fluid. Failing to check and replace fluids on a regular basis may hinder the performance of your vehicle. The tires on a car also deteriorate over time. To ensure your safety, you should have your tires rotated on a regular basis and replace worn tires.Importance of Car MaintenanceCar maintenance should be seen as a preventive measure. When a car is maintained on a regular basis, it helps prevent costly and serious mechanical problems from occurring in the future. Each vehicle requires specific care, which is one of the reasons why many individuals take their cars to the manufacturer for maintenance. Whether you choose to go to the manufacturer or an independent mechanic shop, the maintenance on your car should be performed by a professional. Inadequate maintenance can be just as problematic as neglecting to maintain your car. Although maintaining your car seems like a big investment, it's typically much cheaper that car repairs that eventually occur because of neglect.