Which Seemingly Minor Maintenance Issues, That Are Actually MAJOR, Do YOU See Unaddressed?

At a large gathering I once for fun asked a few dozen people how often they check their tire pressure. Only four said every few month, most said never that it was up to the mechanic when it went in for service. If they are not checking the pressure they surely are not checking the tread life.

"More worse"....Lordy

tire pressure
wiper blades
wiper fluid
intake air filter
cabin air filter

Peeps that let the blades get that bad should lose the drivers license for sheer stupidity as they are endangering everyone else around them.

Changing wiper blades, spare tires, tire pressuring checking, battery boosting etc (basic safety essentials) should all be parts of getting a Drivers License. Can't do them then don't drive as it is a privilege and not a right.

You know it must be a slow news day at Autospies when they post a 'crummy wiper-blade in clapped out Uber Camry' article.

I really do not care how good the machines that make today's parts are - no matter how they are machined - there are still tolerances to consider - and that means that there are metal to metal parts that WILL WEAR into each other - causing - at least initially - some fine metal to be deposited into the Lubricant. With so many of today's vehicles being operated by SOLENOIDS - ie - Magnetic Switches - the metal is a problem for them since they automatically attract the wear coming Normally from the parts - especially in the initial thousand or so miles.

I have always recommended quick early lubricant replacement before - and with all the solenoids (Many AUtomatic transmissions now have 10 or more) - I believe it is simply Logical that you get at least your oil, trans fluid, and power steering fluid replaced right around the first Thousand miles or so. I would also do the rear - but they are larger parts and probably can take the wear easier - but I would still have a rear lubricant replacement when most vehicles NEVER specify one.

And as solenoids become more and more common in these assemblies - I would recommend regular service (Obviously in addition to Engine oil) - especially due to the Transmissions group. A number of new Auto Transmissions use solenoids that not only switch on and off - but also Pulsate at time - to control pressure - and these are especially in danger of being contaminated and failing.

While many of the above are Minor Issues - that are not actually Major - I believe the engine and Trans and rear to be MAJOR components.

In addition to the above - the Saturn Automatic transmission had ONE really good idea that I think should be on ALL Electronically controlled Automatic Transmission - it had a Spin On external Fluid Filter that was easily replaced. The "filters" in most automatic transmission are largely just screens inside a housing -that catch large pieces - but would allow minor wear to get through. A real paper based filter is FAR superior.

While this would require the Manufacturers to also re-introduce Dip sticks to their AUto Transmissions - to top off the fluid - I would be worth it for longevity.

What about all the people you see driving 75-80mpg on the highway on donut spares - not to get to a place to replace a tire but because that's the only one they have