Chevrolet has been part of the American auto market for more than 110 years now. Since releasing its first car, the Type C, back in 1912, it has earned its place among the nation's leading vehicle manufacturers. It has made a name for itself in other countries as well. During the last year for which information is available, Chevy sold nearly 1.5 million vehicles in America alone and another 1.7 million abroad. When you combine those with all the Chevrolets people were already driving, that means tens of millions of vehicles bearing this brand's signature emblem are on the roads right now.
That
being said, quite a few people have yet to jump on board the Chevy bandwagon.
If you're among them, you probably have several questions about the models in
this manufacturer's lineup. Many of those may revolve around their maintenance
requirements. Is Chevrolet a low-maintenance vehicle? Just how often will you
need to visit a chevrolet service center if you buy one of this
automaker's cars, trucks, or SUVs? Aside from routine upkeep, what types of
repairs do Chevrolets generally need over time? You'll find the answers you're
looking for here.
Generally Speaking
First
of all, it's important to point out that Chevrolet has millions of devoted fans
in America and across the globe. Many of them insist they wouldn't own any
other brand. Some trade their extremely used Chevys in for newer models. Others
keep their aging Suburbans, Silverados, and Impalas on hand just in case they
need them. They simply buy new models to drive while their old ones rest in
their garages.
Auto
manufacturers don't amass that type of following by being overly demanding or
expensive to take care of. At the same time, Chevrolet has built a reputation
for being reliable and long-lasting. Many of its vehicles have held out for
decades and racked up 300,000 miles or more without needing any major repairs.
Those facts alone speak for the long-term value of Chevys. If a vehicle runs
for that long without giving you much trouble, routine maintenance basically
pays for itself.
Looking at Basic Maintenance Needs
for Chevrolets
All
vehicles need a certain amount of basic routine maintenance, and Chevrolets are
no exception to the rule. That includes oil changes. Per the manufacturer's
recommendations, you should have the oil changed at least every 7,000 to 10,000
miles depending on the model you own, how much you drive it, and other factors.
Older models may need more frequent oil changes.
Regular
maintenance also entails checking the brake, power steering, and transmission
fluids and topping them off if needed. Inspecting the battery and its cables and ends
enters the mix as well. Checking the lights to be sure they're working and
checking the coolant level are also part of standard service appointments.
Regular
maintenance also covers checking belts and hoses. Replacing or cleaning the air
filter may be necessary as well. Inspecting the pads, shoes, and other brake system components is also part of
the process. Checking the tires and their air pressure and having them rotated
every 5,000 miles or so is also advised. Routine service often includes
inspecting the wiper blades, spark plugs and wires, and other important parts
too. Service appointments may cost anywhere from $50 to $350 or more depending
on who performs your maintenance and what's covered during the appointment.
Beyond the Basics
In
addition to the points mentioned above, some parts are going to wear out over
time. That's just part of owning a vehicle. When they do, they need to be
replaced. Those include hoses, belts, wiper blades, brakes, and spark plugs to
name a few. Those parts come in a variety of price ranges. Mid-priced options
usually work perfectly well.
You'll
also need to replace your tires at times. As a general rule, tires tend to last
between 35,000 and 75,000 miles depending on the brand, their quality, the
condition of the roads you drive on, and other factors. If the tread gets below
2/32 of an inch, have the tires replaced as soon as possible. It's best to
replace tires that are more than six years old regardless of their tread depth
or how much they've been driven on.
Cheap
tires cost about $200 per set, but they usually don't last very long. On the
other hand, some high-end specialty tires cost as much as $1,000 each. Many
people feel that their quality doesn't justify the price. In truth, you can get
a high-quality, long-lasting set of tires for $400 to $800. That price may vary
depending on whether your Chevrolet is a car, truck, or SUV and whether you
choose all-season tires or those designed specifically for summer or winter
driving.
Additional Maintenance Needs
In
some cases, Chevy owners have certain other electrical and mechanical problems
to deal with. As is the case with virtually any vehicle, sensors, fuses,
wiring, and other relatively minor components can cause major issues. If you
don't have them promptly repaired or replaced, they'll interfere with your
vehicle's performance. They may also cause bigger, more expensive problems if
you ignore them. You're likely to need to replace the starter, alternator,
water pump, distributor, thermostat, and certain other parts at some point as
well.
Do Chevrolets Need a Lot of
Maintenance?
All
the points mentioned here are normal aspects of vehicle upkeep. Having routine
maintenance performed comes at a price, but it'll also save you a great deal of
money in the long run. It'll keep your Chevrolet running at peak performance
and efficiency. It'll also help keep major breakdowns at a minimum. Despite
your best efforts, some parts are going to wear out and need to be replaced.
You may experience a few electrical issues as well though some Chevy models are
more notorious for those than others.
Overall,
Chevrolets are considered low-maintenance vehicles. In fact, many models offer
better-than-average reliability and rank at or below average in terms of
maintenance requirements and costs. Which model you own and how well you take
care of it will ultimately determine how much maintenance it needs outside of
the basic routine elements. Still, when you buy a Chevrolet, you're bound to
get a dependable vehicle that'll be on the road for years to come.
