Pay now or pay later. That is the cry of the auto repair shop, trying to warn customers that ignoring vehicle maintenance now is only going to lead to larger and more costly repairs later. The only problem is no seems to be listening.

Auto supply retailers are showing a decline in first quarter earnings. Some of this decline may be due to people sufficiently comfortable with auto repair turning to internet sites to buy their parts rather than the local mechanic, but car owners not so mechanically inclined are trying to do without, or make do with less.

Cathie Capp, whose son has a 1992 pickup, says “The cost of food and gas is affecting me like everyone else, so I’m going with the Band- Aid. I’m hoping and praying it gets him through his first year of college.” She had forgone the full engine repair job on her son’s truck, opting instead for a $415 quick fix.

Like Cathie, many vehicle owners forced to have work done on their vehicle are going with the least amount of work they can get away with. Says Alex Tamez, director of operations at a Ford dealership in Glendale California, “they’ll get an oil change, but not get the tires rotated. The economy and gas prices have a lot to do with it.”

However, this approach can be dangerous. Auto parts last much longer today than they did 30 years ago, but this also means that they don’t show wear and tear as readily as the old parts did. Parts should be inspected by a trained mechanic as parts that are dangerously worn down may not be detected by the lay person and replaced in time.

This comes at a time when bad economic conditions mean people are forced to hang on to their vehicles longer. In such a situation owners want to be ahead on the maintenance of their Ford cars, not behind. Forgoing maintenance now really does cost more later, and it is more important than ever for car owners to recognize this.

Need work done on your Ford car or truck? Stop by Sunset Ford and talk to a friendly and knowledgeable serviceperson or take a look at new Ford inventory on the Sunset Ford website.