Ken Buehler, owner of White's Garage in Alma, says some recent surveys show four out of every five vehicles need some form of maintenance and offers the following advice for car owners:

1. Worn Brake Parts. Putting off needed brake service in addition to being a safety hazard, can escalate system overhaul.
2. Tired Windshield Wiper Blades. Don't wait for a nasty day to replace worn blades.
3. Burned out Lights. Can you see and be seen? check all your lights regularly to be sure.
4. Clogged Filters. Scheduled replacement of air, oil, gas, fuel, transmission and other filters extend car life and improve performance.
5. Worn Spark Plugs. Worn plugs waste gas and increase exhaust emissions. They also cause the engine to run poorly and fail to start on a cold winter morning.
6. Corroded Battery Cables. Corroded battery cables and a weak battery cause starting trouble. Have battery and charging system checked and be sure of cold morning starts.
7. Glazed belts, rotten hoses. A slipping belt can effect engine cooling, alternator and power steering. Replace worn belts, brittle or rotten cooling system hoses can lead to over-heating, while vacuum and power steering hoses, hinder performance and safety.
8. Neglected cooling system - servicing of the cooling system helps prevent deterioration of radiator or heater core.
9. Leaking shock absorbers. Worn shocks or struts affect ride control and shorten tire life.
10. Damaged CV joints - These rubber boots protect the critical CV joints that deliver power to your wheels. They should be inspected regularly and replaced as needed.
11. Leaking muffler. Have your car's muffler and other parts of the exhaust system checked. Exhaust entering your vehicle can be dangerous.
12. Tired tires. Worn tires are dangerous. Proper inflation, alignment and balance will extend tire life, and tires with good tread will increase safety and stabilize on an icy or snow covered road.