Jul 3, 2025
car maintenance

A well-maintained GMC will last significantly longer than those that are neglected by their owners. At Visalia GMC, we employ factory-trained technicians who know every inch of your vehicle. Using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and GM Genuine parts, they’ll help you get the maximum life out of your investment. The car maintenance tips will help you understand how to best keep your vehicle healthy. 

Preventive maintenance keeps your investment protected

Preventative car maintenance can be broken down into several key areas:

Oil Changes

Regular oil changes are the foundation of long vehicle life. GMC’s Oil Life System monitors your remaining oil percentage to determine the optimal change intervals. Visalia GMC’s certified technicians understand the oil grade requirements of GMC in general and your vehicle in particular, ensuring maximum protection.

Coolant System

Keeping your coolant system working properly will keep your engine from overheating. Heat problems are a major source of engine failure, making proper coolant maintenance an important part of vehicle longevity. We offer comprehensive coolant system assessments to identify issues and fix them before they become problems.

Brake System

Well-performing brakes save lives and money. Properly maintained brakes last between 25,000 and 70,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. Visalia GMC’s brake specialists will check the wear on your brakes, evaluate their stopping power, service brake fluid levels, and make any repairs necessary to keep you safe.

Tire Maintenance

Your tires are crucial for maintaining control of your vehicle and keeping its fuel efficiency optimal. In fact, properly maintained tires can improve gas mileage by up to 3%. Our tire services include rotation, balancing, alignment assessment, and pressure monitoring.

Battery Service

Nobody wants to be out and about only to find out that their battery is dead and their car won’t start. To ensure your car always starts when you need it to, don’t skip regular maintenance of your battery. Our technicians will assess your battery performance and, if needed, replace it with genuine ACDelco components.

Stay on top of service tasks

Now that you know what to maintain, let’s look at how to best schedule and organize those procedures. Thankfully, GMC’s integrated Oil Life Monitoring System takes the guesswork out of maintenance. It calculates optimal service intervals based on the actual driving conditions your car experiences. It takes engine temperature, RPM, and trip length into account, rather than relying on outdated mileage-only schedules.

Schedule Regular Multi-Point Inspections

To catch small issues before they turn into something more serious, schedule regular multi-point inspections every 6 months. Visalia GMC’s comprehensive inspection systems use a color-coded assessment. Red indicators need immediate attention, while yellow indicators should be addressed as soon as possible.

Keep Detailed Records

Whenever you have maintenance performed, keep a record of the work done. Well-organized maintenance records are an important part of maintaining warranty coverage and resale value. GMC vehicles with documented service histories retain 15% more value than those without proper records.

Signs you need maintenance or repair

In addition to regular maintenance, your vehicle sometimes lets you know that it needs professional attention. You just need to know what to look for.

  • Dashboard warning lights: This indicates when your GMC’s computer system has detected issues that need professional attention.
  • Unusual noises: Anytime you hear unusual sounds during braking, acceleration, or steering, it may indicate wear in important safety systems.
  • Fluid leaks: Regularly check under your parked vehicle to look for fluid leaks. Various crucial fluids may leave drops or puddles on the ground when your car is parked.
  • Performance changes: Rough idling, reduced acceleration, or poor fuel economy can all suggest problems with your vehicle’s systems.
  • Tire wear patterns: When something is wrong with your alignment, suspension, or tire inflation, your tire tread will wear unevenly.

Ready to test drive your new car?

If you’re maintaining your current GMC, Visalia GMC’s service department will ensure that it always operates at peak performance. If you are looking to purchase a new GMC, our sales team will help you find the perfect vehicle and arrange for a test drive. For more information, stop by our dealership or contact us today.

Image Source: zedspider/Shutterstock