5 Auto Maintenance Tips that Can Save You Money

It doesn’t matter if your car is a classic or brand new—keeping up on your vehicle’s maintenance will keep it running as long as possible. Unfortunately, these maintenance services add up quickly. Here are five ways to keep auto shop bills as low as possible.

1. Look for Coupons

Whether you take your car to a national auto repair chain or a privately-owned auto shop, you may be able to find coupons in the mail, online, or even in-store. Instead of throwing away the pile of ads and coupons you get in your mailbox every couple of days, thumb through it and look for auto shop coupons. Keep an eye out, and you may be surprised at how much you can save on auto repairs.

2. Keep a Schedule

Many services have a mileage recommendation attached to them. Every car is different, but most will need an oil change approximately every 3,000 miles and a tire-rotation every 10,000 miles. You are required to renew your registration every year, and in many states that means you need a safety and emissions test.

Skipping these and other kinds of scheduled services can cause problems or allow others to go undetected. For example, if your car’s oil gets too low, the engine will be completely ruined. If the tires are not rotated regularly, they will wear unevenly and go bald sooner than they should. Keep track of what services you do and how many miles your car has when you do them so you can create a schedule for future maintenance.

3. Find Someone You Trust

If you don’t know anything about cars, it would be easy for a mechanic to tell you that your car needs a service that it could do without. Find a mechanic you can trust. Ask your friends and family members who they use for auto repairs. If you don’t know where to start, feel free to visit a few different mechanics and get an estimate on your car repairs. Your car is a necessary part of your daily life; maintenance costs can add up, so don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion.

A trusted mechanic can also be useful when your car has reached the end of its life. He or she can help you find out how to get paid for your junk car.

4. Sweat the Small Stuff

It is easy to let small things like low windshield wiper fluid, inefficient blades, or slightly deflated tires slide. If you don’t pay attention to your car’s small maintenance needs, they could get worse or cause other damage. For example, if your wiper blades create streaks in the middle of your windshield and you run out of wiper fluid, you could find yourself in adverse weather conditions with dangerously low visibility.

It is easy to put off getting the air in your tires checked when the seasons change, and it certainly doesn’t seem like a threatening issue. However, under-inflated tires lower your fuel efficiency. Pay attention to these and other little repairs that could raise your repair bills in the future.

5. Listen to Your Car

Become your vehicle’s “car whisperer.” If your car starts making an unusual sound or gives off an unusual smell, don’t ignore it and hope it will go away. Early detection of issues will save you money.

Take a few extra seconds to look at your car before you start driving. Make sure the lights are all working and there aren’t any leaking fluids. Check your oil and transmission fluid levels regularly as well. If you pay attention, you will catch minor issues before they turn into big, expensive problems.

Spending a little bit of money on repairs throughout the year will save you a lot of money in the long run. Look for coupons, find a mechanic you trust, and pay attention to even the smallest signs that your car needs attention. The better you take care of your car, the better it will take care of you!

Category: Automotive