When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, there are two main types of maintenance intervals you’ll need to pay attention to: preventive maintenance and factory scheduled maintenance. Although both are essential for keeping your car in top condition, they have different purposes and approaches to service intervals.
In this blog post, we’ll go over the difference between these two types of maintenance, what factory scheduled maintenance typically includes, and address a long-standing misconception about where you need to have your factory scheduled maintenance performed.
Preventive Maintenance & Factory Scheduled Maintenance: What’s the Difference?
Preventive maintenance involves routine maintenance tasks that are performed at more frequent intervals, such as oil changes and part inspections. Although it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s recommended intervals, how often you’ll need these services performed often depends on your driving conditions and the age of your vehicle. The purpose of preventive maintenance is to prevent potential issues or breakdowns before they occur.
Factory scheduled maintenance, however, is performed at pre-determined intervals that are set by your vehicle’s manufacturer - typically at 30K, 60K, and 90K miles. Each manufacturer has detailed guidelines for what the maintenance will involve, but it’s common for them to include:
For specific recommendations for your vehicle, you can refer to your owner’s manual or ask your service advisor to look them up for you.
Factory scheduled maintenance intervals are essentially based on the lifespan of certain components and fluids. Although it has a similar purpose as preventive maintenance (to proactively replace fluids and parts before they can cause issues) factory scheduled maintenance is generally required to maintain a vehicle’s warranty coverage. Having a well-documented history of the factory scheduled maintenance you’ve had performed can also increase the resale value of your vehicle.
In addition, factory scheduled maintenance involves thorough inspections of all the major systems, such as the engine, brakes, steering, transmission, and suspension. Unlike preventive maintenance, factory scheduled maintenance is designed to address known issues that can occur and ensure your vehicle’s reliability during the warranty period.
Essentially, preventive maintenance allows for more flexibility and customization based on your driving conditions, while factory scheduled maintenance follows a prescribed schedule set by your vehicle’s manufacturer. While both take a proactive approach to ensure your car stays reliable, factory scheduled maintenance typically addresses larger services and is required by most manufacturers to maintain the factory-issued warranty.
Does Factory Scheduled Maintenance Have to Be Performed at the Dealership?
A common misconception about factory scheduled maintenance is that it needs to be performed at the dealership to maintain the factory warranty. Fortunately, that’s not the case! You can have it done at any shop you like. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has explicitly stated that it’s illegal for dealerships to deny warranty coverage if the maintenance was performed somewhere else.
Regardless, it’s always recommended to keep records of when and where the maintenance was performed and what it involved. That way, if there’s ever any question regarding a warranty claim, you have proof that you’ve kept on top of the maintenance requirements.
Visit RPM Automotive Services for All Your Maintenance Needs
Whether your vehicle is due for preventive maintenance or factory-scheduled service, the experienced ASE-certified team at RPM Automotive Services is here to help! Family-owned and operated for over 30 years, we proudly offer high-quality maintenance and repairs on foreign and domestic vehicles. We also provide a complimentary shuttle service and loaner cars to keep your life moving while your vehicle is at the shop. Contact us today at (707) 800-4586 or schedule an appointment online!
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