Car Maintenance for lightly driven car?

[Anonymous]

I have a 2019 Ford Fiesta with a grand total of 2,377 miles. Because of health issues, it hasn’t been driven much, but I’m doing better, so it will hopefully be getting more miles. It’s been serviced a few times at the dealership, but nowhere near every 6 months. It’s probably been 1 1/2 -2 years since the last service.

What service do I need? Just an oil change and fluid check, or something more?

What’s the best place to have it serviced? I feel like the dealership probably inflates their prices, but don’t know about the reliability of chains like Jiffy Lube or Mr. Tire. If an independent mechanic is best, I have no idea where to start.

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, my ignorance is profound, so I greatly appreciate any and all advice.

[Anonymous]

Are you driving it - even around the block - regularly?

[Anonymous]

Take it in for state inspection, oil change and fluids check. I use my nearby dealership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you driving it - even around the block - regularly?

OP has been sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you driving it - even around the block - regularly?

OP has been sick.

Now it gets driven fairly regularly, but in the past, not so much. I think AAA had to charge the battery 2 or 3 times, one of which we just replaced the battery.

[Anonymous]

I'm in a similar position. I try to drive it at least 15 minutes, 2x a week but sometimes that doesn't happen because I can't drive for medical reasons. I have also had to call AAA a few times for battery juicing or replacement.

The dealership is expensive and unnecessary, IMO. I just take it to a local garage for inspection and oil change once a year, or when I'm having an issue.

I had one garage I really liked, he actually "inspected" my car thoroughly, he'd keep it all day then call me and tell me my battery had acid leaking and he'd need clean it, or that I needed to rotate my tires, or whatever and would do that for a reasonable fee. Unfortunately they closed. Maybe he was BSing me to make money, but I was spending less than $100 so nothing crazy.

Another garage also has me drop it off, then calls me a few hours later to pick it up but they don't do as thorough of a job as that guy.

At the place I went to last year, they didn't really inspect at all, just hooked it up to the computer and gave me the sticker. It took 10 minutes (old guy used to take a day).

The way that I found these garages is that either they were the designated AAA that came to tow my car years ago, or they are the service station associated with the places where I get my gas. I also asked a neighbor who knows a lot about cars for a recommendation, but ironically that turned out to be the one I didn't like, who does the inspection in 10 minutes.

My advice to you would just be to go for an inspection at any local place, rotate over the next 2-3 years, and find someone you like.

[Anonymous]

Glad you are doing better OP

What area are you in?

[Anonymous]

Every 7 years or so all the rubber needs replacing no matter the mileage. We do it preemptively after having experienced a belt breaking while on the road. That means tires too. Sidewalls deteriorate. So just be mentally prepared.
I say this as someone driving a 2013 Accord V6 with 34,000 miles on it. That replaced a 2000 V6 Accord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad you are doing better OP

What area are you in?

Thanks

I’m in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you driving it - even around the block - regularly?

+1 is the battery still working? I think you should go an oil change at a garage but NOT jiffy lube and NEVER take it to a dealership unless its free under warranty. Has it been garage keep? Have the tires been out in the sun a lot?

I think it's probably pretty good to go though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you driving it - even around the block - regularly?

+1 is the battery still working? I think you should go an oil change at a garage but NOT jiffy lube and NEVER take it to a dealership unless its free under warranty. Has it been garage keep? Have the tires been out in the sun a lot?

I think it's probably pretty good to go though.

No garage, it sits in a partially shaded driveway. The battery is currently working fine.

[Anonymous]

YOu should be fine.

I say that as I bought my Moms old car that sat two years and other than a jiffy lube oil change and car wash first day back on road and pumping up low tires the car ran fine.

[Anonymous]

I would just start with an oil change.

[Anonymous]

In Rockville, I'd recommend Auto Centro, but it's back in an industrial area so if you have mobility issues, it's not worth it as there's not much of a waiting area and you can't really walk out to places if you need to leave it there for the day. Maybe ask neighbors who they recommend near you.

But as for what you need, oil change and also some belts/rubber seals do go bad with time even if miles are low. Avoid Jiffy Lube/etc as they get paid a commission on how much they can upsell you above an oil change. The dealer is honest but also expensive, so something in between those two (local shop) is your best option. THere's actually an AAA service center in Rockville just on the pike near RM high school, but not sure if they are any good as they're a chain.

[Anonymous]

That is a great car. If you find yourself in a position to sell it, try an auction site like Cars and Bids or Bring a Trailer. Low mileage cars from the pre-huge-screen area typically bring very good money.