The very act of owning an automobile carries the obligation of maintaining the machine as it wears--and it is wearing out every second of every day regardless of whether or not it's being driven. Granted, it wears out faster when it is being driven, but even parked in a garage the car is slowly decaying and returning to an inert state. This process is called entropy, and it plays heavily into the decision making process of owners of machinery such as cars. For more information on maintenance, entropy and how to make decisions regarding vehicle repair, please click here.

So, as a owner of a complex piece of machinery--your car--what role does routine and preventative maintenance play in keeping your SAAB running reliably for a long time? The short answer is maintenance plays a huge role in keeping a car running smoothly, and it is important to properly maintain your car on a consistent basis.

Below are common areas that need consistent, routine maintenance on a regular schedule. This schedule is both time and mileage dependent, and observing basic maintenance on these systems increases the liklihood that your SAAB will perform dependably for you every time you need it.

Note that the below maintenance items are in addition to the re-occurring 30,000 mile maintenance. The 30,000 mile maintenance is the single biggest factor in proper maintenance of your SAAB, and it should be observed faithfully.

Also note that neither the brakes nor the clutch is mentioned below. While these two systems do wear regularly and could be considered quasi-maintainenance items, the rate at which they wear varies substantially based on how the vehicle is driven. Because of this, neither brakes nor clutches can be placed on a regular schedule of maintenance and should be instead inspected regulary for wear and replaced as needed.