Overcoming procrastination in personal vehicle maintenance is key to ensuring safety and longevity on the road. We’ve gathered insights from professionals, including a director in the automotive field and a managing attorney, to share their personal strategies. From prioritizing and setting maintenance reminders to adopting a data-driven maintenance calendar, here are five expert tactics to help you stay on top of your vehicle’s upkeep.
- Prioritize and Set Maintenance Reminders
- Associate Safety with Maintenance
- Treat Maintenance as Non-Negotiable
- Break Tasks into Manageable Goals
- Adopt a Data-Driven Maintenance Calendar
Prioritize and Set Maintenance Reminders
Overcoming procrastination in vehicle maintenance starts with prioritizing. At Schmicko, we recognize that a well-maintained car is not only a matter of pride but also of safety and efficiency. Our first strategy is setting reminders. Just like you would not skip a dentist appointment, treat car maintenance with the same level of seriousness. Use digital tools, such as calendar apps or specialized maintenance apps, to schedule regular check-ups and alerts for your vehicle.
Secondly, we believe in making maintenance convenient. One reason people procrastinate is the perceived hassle involved in car maintenance. To combat this, Schmicko offers mobile servicing where the maintenance comes to you. Whether it’s at home or at the office, we remove the inconvenience, making it harder to justify putting it off.
Lastly, educate yourself on the costs of negligence. Understanding the potential expenses and safety risks associated with delayed maintenance can be a powerful motivator. We aim to educate our clients on what can happen if a vehicle isn’t properly looked after, turning awareness into action.
David Bui
Director & Business Specialist – Automotive & Automations, Schmicko
Associate Safety with Maintenance
As a personal injury lawyer specializing in vehicle collisions, I’ve seen the devastating consequences of neglecting vehicle maintenance. When accidents occur due to mechanical failures that could have been prevented, it hits home how crucial regular upkeep is for our safety on the road. So, it’s no surprise that vehicle maintenance is something I take incredibly seriously. Procrastination immediately goes out the window when I reflect on these circumstances, and it’s good to remind yourself of your own safety from time to time.
As for staying on top of maintenance, I’ve created a checklist of seasonal maintenance tasks specific to my city’s climate and driving conditions. This checklist covers everything from checking antifreeze levels in winter to inspecting air-conditioning systems in summer, ensuring comprehensive upkeep year-round. There’s also a reminder that goes off every month, so I know it’s time for all necessary maintenance tasks, such as checking fluid levels, inspecting tires for wear and tear, and changing the oil.
Riley Beam
Managing Attorney, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.
Treat Maintenance as Non-Negotiable
Overcoming procrastination in personal vehicle maintenance begins with understanding its importance—not just for the vehicle’s longevity but for safety.
My strategy is simple: schedule maintenance as if it were a crucial work meeting, non-negotiable and planned in advance. Utilizing reminders and apps to track maintenance intervals helps turn these tasks into routine checks rather than burdensome chores. This approach ensures that vehicle upkeep becomes a part of my regular schedule, keeping procrastination at bay.
Mark Sheng
Project Engineer, DoDo Machine
Break Tasks into Manageable Goals
I incorporate personal vehicle maintenance into my daily regimen as an absolute necessity. I schedule routine maintenance appointments in advance and set reminders on my smartphone or calendar to combat procrastination. Additionally, in order to reduce the intimidating nature of duties, I divide them into smaller, more manageable components. By establishing attainable objectives and developing a maintenance checklist, I maintain focus and ensure that every facet of vehicle upkeep is considered.
Furthermore, I make use of technology to my advantage by monitoring service intervals and receiving alerts when maintenance is overdue through the use of applications or automotive maintenance software. By incorporating routine maintenance tasks into my timetable and employing efficient planning and organizational tools, I am ultimately capable of maintaining a proactive stance and ensuring the durability and dependability of my automobile.
Anam Barkan
Travel Enthusiast, Director Marketing and Founder, Zoyago
Adopt a Data-Driven Maintenance Calendar
To overcome procrastination in personal vehicle maintenance, I rely on a structured approach that mirrors the operational procedures we’ve established at Apple Truck and Trailer.
Given my background in overseeing extensive inventories of trucks and trailers, I’ve learned the importance of regular check-ups and timely interventions to ensure longevity and optimal performance. These practices are not only crucial in a professional capacity but equally valuable for personal vehicle care. I start by setting up a maintenance calendar for my personal vehicle, similar to the scheduling system we use for our fleet at Apple Truck and Trailer.
This system is based on mileage and time intervals, prioritizing tasks like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake checks. For example, we’ve found that adhering to a strict schedule for oil changes every 5,000 miles significantly reduces the likelihood of engine problems. This data-driven approach ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
Another strategy I’ve adopted from my professional experience is conducting regular inspections, leveraging checklists tailored to different types of vehicles. Just as our technicians use detailed checklists to inspect trucks and trailers, I apply a simplified version for my car, focusing on fluid levels, tire pressure, and light functionality.
This proactive inspection routine helps identify potential issues before they escalate, reminding me that routine maintenance is not just about expense but about investment in safety and efficiency. By treating personal vehicle care with the same seriousness as our fleet at Apple Truck and Trailer, procrastination becomes a non-issue, replaced by a commitment to reliability and performance.
Michael Sensano
Sales Manager, Apple Truck and Trailer
