The Importance of Basic Vehicle Maintenance: What Your Mechanic Should Be Doing Every Time

When it comes to car ownership, there are many things that can go wrong. From engine problems to electrical issues, there are countless potential pitfalls that can leave you feeling frustrated and stuck. But one of the most common and easily avoidable issues is neglecting basic vehicle maintenance.

A recent video shared by NextGen CarCare (@nextgencarcare) highlights the importance of lubricating hood hinges and other essential maintenance tasks. The video features a 2019 Toyota 4Runner, and the mechanic on camera explains that the owner had not been receiving proper maintenance at a previous shop.

'Twenty-nineteen Toyota 4Runner, and this is something that drives me crazy,' the mechanic says as he cracks open the door to the vehicle. 'One way to know it was maintained by a dealership is that hood doesn't pop right up. Oil changes, for some reason, go to pop the hood.'

Upon stating this, the mechanic unlatches the front hood of the vehicle via its corresponding lever beneath the steering wheel. 'Hood doesn't pop. I look at the door hinges; there's no grease in the door hinges,' he says before shutting the door. That's because the mechanic wants to give audiences a better look at what he's talking about.

Following this, the mechanic moves backward to the rear driver-side door to highlight rust on the hinge. 'They're already rusty. How many oil changes has this had, you know? And none of that was ever kept. I go over to the hood; it doesn't pop,' he says, making his way to the front of the vehicle.

To further demonstrate this particular bad car omen, the auto service worker starts tapping the ball of his fist against the hood. Despite popping the latch just a few seconds earlier, the SUV's hood remained in place. Finally, after a few light strikes to the vehicle's bonnet, it comes undone.

The first thing the mechanic takes stock of is the condition of the hood latch, which he says is 'all rusted.' He adds, 'Never been lubricated, never been maintained. So, I don't know. When we do an oil change or vehicle service, we lubricate the hood latch, the hood hinges, the battery terminals.'

Next, he zooms in close to the terminals, which show some oxidization. 'Look how corroded and nasty these are getting. They actually don't look too bad. Somebody's put a battery in it, so maybe they cleaned them at some point. Just a couple of things that drive me insane. If you want your vehicle maintained, these things should be happening,' he tells viewers.

Toward the end of the clip, the mechanic states that this is standard protocol at his garage and that consumers should check to make sure their own shops are doing the same thing.

The video has sparked a lively discussion in the comments, with several folks sharing their own experiences with service centers that have neglected these basic maintenance tasks. 'My car is only dealer maintained. They've never done any of that,' one commenter wrote.

Another person speculated that service centers might be too busy with other tasks, such as telling owners to change their cabin air filters without checking them first. 'They are too busy telling you to change the cabin air filter without checking it,' the commenter wrote.

In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of basic vehicle maintenance, NextGen CarCare shared a video on YouTube.

Unfortunately, it seems that many car owners are not aware of the importance of lubricating hood hinges and other essential maintenance tasks. According to a Cars.com piece, few repair shops or dealerships still perform these simple tasks, and it's often up to the vehicle owners to do it themselves.

But by following these simple tips, car owners can help prevent costly repairs down the line and keep their vehicles running smoothly. So next time you take your car in for service, be sure to ask your mechanic about lubricating the hood hinge and other essential maintenance tasks.