Maintaining a car is essential for ensuring it runs efficiently and safely, but the costs can add up quickly. Most car owners generally spend much more on maintenance than they expect initially, because of the large number of checkups, and not to mention- unforeseen repairs. Fortunately, keeping your car in good working condition is possible if you follow some important steps.
In this article, we will share affordable car maintenance tips to help keep your vehicle in good shape and prevent costly repairs.
1. Stick to a Regular Maintenance Schedule
Regular maintenance is one of the single most effective ways to avoid costly repairs in the future and even prevent accidents. Though it may seem at times to be a flat-out waste of money taken straight from a hard-earned paycheck, regular services—such as oil changes and tire rotations—prevent expensive repair bills.
Oil Changes
Changing the oil in your car periodically helps to ensure the engine runs smoothly. Manufacturers recommend oil replacement either after 5,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the type of oil used. By following this schedule, you can avoid engine wear and tear that can lead to expensive breakdowns. You may also want to switch to synthetic oil, which is a bit costlier at first but allows less frequent oil changes.
Tire Rotations
Because the tire treads wear out unevenly—partly due to road conditions and partly because of the load distribution between front and rear, and largely because of individual driving habits—rotating the tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles ensures even wear, extending the life of the tires and improving fuel efficiency. This minor, inexpensive step in regular maintenance can keep you from buying tires all too quickly.
2. Save on Insurance
Car insurance is one of the most significant ongoing costs of vehicle ownership, but there are several strategies you can use to lower your premiums without compromising coverage.
Shop Around for the Best Rates
Insurance rates can vary widely from one carrier to another, so the best way to be sure you are getting a fair deal is to compare quotes from different providers before you commit to a policy. Most companies have free online comparison tools that make finding the most affordable rates relatively easy. If you have paid the same insurance company to cover you for many years, check back in from time to time because rates and discounts change.
Consider Raising Deductibles
This will enable you to minimize the premiums payable on a monthly basis. It implies that, though you will be paying more on your side when a claim is made, low monthly premiums will be realized in the long run. This will be most beneficial to safe drivers who make less or no claims at all. However, make sure your deductible amount is within your ability to service your emergency expenses.
Bundle Your Auto and Renters Insurance
One of the major ways to save on car insurance is to attach it with another policy, say, renters’ insurance. Most insurance companies offer a multi-policy discount and allow savings within and across different types of insurance when combined under an eligible insurance provider. One might save between 5% and 25%, depending on the insurer. Yes, renters and car insurance bundle can decrease the cost that you would have incurred purchasing different services. In addition, bundling simplifies your financial life by consolidating policies with one company.
3. Shop Around for Parts and Services
When your car is in need of repairs or needs new parts, it is quite tempting to go straight to the dealership or to your usual mechanic, but shopping around can bring savings.
Mechanic Quote Comparison
Be sure to get quotes from several different mechanics in your area for any repair work before you sign a contract for services. The prices for repair could vary significantly and you could save hundreds of dollars just by getting a cheaper quote. Seek out independent shops-that is to say, those not associated with a dealership-that specialize in your type of car.
Purchase Parts Online
If your mechanic will let you, go buy the replacement parts yourself. Most online retailers sell car parts at a fraction of what the dealerships can. From brake pads to spark plugs, websites like RockAuto, PartsGeek, and Amazon sell almost everything for a fraction of the original cost. Of course, just make sure to buy the right kind of quality parts for good brands; otherwise, there can be long-term repercussions.
4. Prevention is the Best Care
Preventative maintenance aims to catch small issues before they become giant and expensive issues. Staying proactive can help you avoid costly repairs that could have been easily avoided.
Standard Brake Inspections
The brakes are one of the most critical parts of the overall safety system of your vehicle, and they are also quite expensive to replace. But regular inspections can detect, and prevent problems like worn brake pads before they become much more expensive to repair—that of the rotors. Most brake pads only last from 30,000 to 70,000 miles, so it’s good to check them regularly so they don’t wear down unevenly.
Monitor Fluids
Your car relies on various fluids to run properly: transmission fluid, coolant, steering fluid, and the list goes on. If neglected, this can snowball into some major repairs, from possibly an entire rebuild of a transmission to an overheating engine. Learn to check your fluid levels and top them up if they’re low. Most vehicles come with clear and specific guides, thereby making it simple to keep track of the fluids’ levels.
5. Take Care of Your Tires
Tires are perhaps one of the most important features of your vehicle. Taking good care of them can extend their lifespan and save you money.
Proper Inflation
Under-inflated tires cause uneven wear, low fuel mileage, and are sometimes the major cause of very dangerous blowouts. Check your tire pressure regularly (at least once a month) using a simple pressure gauge. Remember, as per the owner’s manual, proper inflation will go a long way for even wear and maximize tire life.
Wheel Alignment
With time, bad roads or hitting a curb can misalign the tires on your car. Misaligned wheels engage tires sometimes unevenly, affecting handling and raising the likelihood of having to replace them sooner rather than later. Getting a wheel alignment once every two years will prevent extra wear on your tires.
6. Extend a Battery’s Life
Car batteries can be expensive to replace, but with proper care, you can extend their life and avoid premature failure.
Clean Battery Terminals
The corrosion of your battery’s terminals will impede the ability of the electrical system to work properly in your car and can sometimes even cause the failure of the battery. Periodically examine any corrosion on your battery’s terminals, and if present, clean it off using a simple solution of baking soda and water to prolong your battery’s life and prevent unnecessary replacement.
Increase Operating Performance
Running those electrical systems-such as the radio or the air conditioning-too long while the engine is off, puts a load on the battery that drains it. Run the electrical systems when and for as short a time when possible when the car is not working. Example: In very cold climatic conditions, it is best to get a battery warmer that saves the battery from freezing and losing power.
Conclusion
Maintaining your car doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Keep that car in top shape and save money by doing routine maintenance, making minor repairs, and doing a little bargain hunting with a lot of elbow grease. Preventative care, attention to detail, and using the right resources will ensure that your car remains reliable, safe, and affordable to maintain for years to come.
