Short answer: The best thing you can do for your opener is keep the door itself in good shape, because the springs should do the lifting, not the motor. Beyond that, lubricate the chain or screw if your manual calls for it, keep the rail and brackets tight, test the safety sensors and auto-reverse monthly, replace remote batteries, and don't keep running an opener that hums or strains.
Most people think of the opener as the thing that lifts the door. It isn't, really. The springs carry the weight of the door. The opener just guides it up and down. When the door is heavy or out of balance, the opener ends up doing work it wasn't built for, and that wears it out faster.
The good news is that opener care is mostly small habits. Here are the ones that matter most.
This is the big one. A balanced door is easy on the opener. An unbalanced door, usually from worn or out of adjustment springs, makes the motor, gears and drive strain on every trip.
You can get a sense of balance at home. If you can see a gap in a spring or the door feels very heavy, skip this test. Otherwise, with the door closed and the opener disconnected, lift the door by hand to about halfway. It should stay roughly in place. If it's heavy, drops or rises on its own, the springs need attention from a professional. Don't adjust springs yourself. When you're done, lower the door and reconnect the opener. The spring warning signs guide explains what to look for.
Openers move the door with a chain, a belt, a screw, or a motor mounted beside the door on the torsion bar. Each needs a little different care, so check your manual first.
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Every open and close sends a little vibration through the rail and the brackets that hold the opener to the ceiling and the wall above the door. Over time, bolts loosen. Once or twice a year, with the opener unplugged, check that the mounting brackets and the rail are secure. A loose rail can make the door move unevenly and puts extra stress on the drive.
The photo eye sensors and the contact auto-reverse protect people, pets and cars. They are also a good early warning for opener problems. If the auto-reverse starts acting up, it can mean the force or travel settings have drifted, or the door is binding. Here's how to test your sensors and auto-reverse in about five minutes.
Stop and have things checked if the opener hums but the door won't move, the motor strains or runs longer than usual, the door reverses for no clear reason, or the opener clicks and does nothing. Running a struggling opener over and over can make the problem worse. Many openers also have a built-in thermal cutoff, so an opener that stops working after several quick cycles may simply need to cool down.
If you're weighing a fix against a new unit, see repair or replace your opener and how long springs and openers last.
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Yes, a little. Keep the door balanced, lubricate the chain or screw if the manual calls for it, keep brackets tight, replace remote batteries and test the safety features monthly.
Usually not. Most belt drives don't need lubricant on the belt. Check your manual, and watch for fraying or cracking instead.
Some LED bulbs can interfere with the remote signal. Try a bulb labeled for use in garage door openers, or the type your manual recommends.
Often the door is out of balance, usually from worn or out of adjustment springs. The springs should carry the weight. Have them checked by a professional.