Busted: The Maintenance-Free Myth in Seattle
November 2, 2025
There's a segment of the Seattle area population that's not committed to proper vehicle maintenance.
Now, the ignition system in your vehicle is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers). So tune-ups used to force you in to Budd & Company Automotive - MLK for service, and while you were there you just took care of whatever else was on the list.
Also, in recent years, a large percentage of new vehicles in Seattle have been leased. These folks plan on turning the vehicle in after two or three years, so they haven't focused on the maintenance that helps a vehicle last longer.
Given all that, what's the benefit to keeping up with factory scheduled maintenance? Well, your vehicle will perform better and return better fuel economy.
Those benefits pay for themselves as they go along. The big plus is that major repairs are prevented. And these aren't just repairs that are a long way off. Modern vehicle engines are far more sophisticated and have many parts that are in critical need of proper lubrication. Missing just one oil change can allow oil sludge to start forming. Sludge clogs small engine passages, robbing parts of the lubrication they need. An expensive failure could easily occur within two or three years.
And modern engines require more sophisticated fluids. Because of the different types of materials that are used to make auto parts, things like aluminum, plastics and steel, different types of additives are required to protect automotive components from corrosion. These additives deplete with time as well as with use.
Taking care of the little things now prevents big problems later. At Budd & Company Automotive - MLK, we have been taking care of all those little things for years. Your vehicle still needs to be taken care of – it's just that some of those points of care have changed with automotive advancements. The need for proper maintenance in Seattle drivers vehicles did not go away.
Budd & Company Automotive - MLK
5510 Martin Luther King Junior Way South
Seattle, WA 98118
2063240551
http://buddandcompanymlk.com
Need Service?
More articles from Budd & Company Automotive - MLK
Why You Have an O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor)
December 14, 2025
If someone asked you what gas made up the largest portion of the atmosphere, what would you guess? Well, it's not oxygen; it only makes up 20.9 percent. But since we're talking about oxygen, you should know that your vehicle uses oxygen sensors to make sure your engine is running the way it shou... More
Staying In Charge (Alternator Repair)
December 7, 2025
Seems like these days, we're hearing about more and more electric or hybrid vehicles. Keep in mind that conventional gasoline internal combustion vehicles have important electrical components, too, and it's important to make sure they're operating at their peak. In a vehicle with a gasoline engi... More
Go Big or Go Home: Upsize Your Wheels at Budd & Company Automotive - MLK
November 30, 2025
A lot of us Seattle drivers like our vehicles to reflect our personalities. We're picky about color and body style. We'll customize anything from floor mats to window tints to license plates. One popular way for WA motorists to customize a vehicle is to get new wheels.Wheels come in thousands of... More