I used to treat oil changes and tire rotations as optional. "If it’s running, why mess with it?" was my mindset. Big mistake. Over time, skipping basic services like brake inspections and fluid checks came back to bite me. One winter, I ignored the fact that my brakes had started to feel a little soft. Thought I could wait until spring. One icy morning, the car didn’t stop in time and I rear-ended a van. Thankfully, no one was hurt – but the repair cost me over $3000. That’s when I realized how essential basic services are. Brake checks, oil changes, tire care, battery tests – these aren’t extras, they’re survival steps. I came across this article that really explains all the essentials in a way that even someone new to cars can get:https://diva.ba/common-car-repair-services-every-driver-should-know-about/ – it covers everything from tire rotations to diagnostics. Worth the read if you’ve been putting things off.