Owning
Maintaining a vehicle can be be a gamble financially. Because you never know what can or will go wrong with your vehicle, it’s a good idea to always look for the most frugal way to keep your car running in tip-top shape. To help with this, here are three tips for saving money on vehicle maintenance throughout your entire vehicle ownership.
Take Care of Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is one of the best and easiest ways you can save money on large, costly auto repairs. Simply taking the initiative to ensure you’re not neglecting your vehicle can help you avoid running into bigger problems that take a larger amount of money to fix.
According to Neecey Beresford, a contributor to AllWomensTalk.com, some areas you should always be on top of for preventative maintenance include fluid levels, tire pressure, replacing air filters, changing the oil regularly, and maintaining your windshield. Most of these forms of preventative maintenance can be done in your own garage, creating double cost savings for you.
Find a Mechanic You Can Trust
If you come across a repair you can’t handle on your own, finding a mechanic you can trust is going to be your best option for additional maintenance and repairs. However, this can be easier said than done, especially if you’ve ever been taken advantage of by a mechanic in the past.
To find someone you can trust to work on your vehicle correctly and for the right price, Chris Birk, a contributor to WiseBread.com, recommends for car owners to research both the shop you’re planning to use and the needs of your vehicle. This will help you to make informed decisions about what work is necessary and what’s just to pad the mechanic’s bottom line.
Purchase Your Own Parts for Professional Replacement
Another way you can save money when getting your vehicle repaired professionally is to purchase the parts you’ll need for replacement on your own rather than having the repair shop or mechanic supply them. Aaron Crowe, a contributor to CheapCarInsurance.net, shares that mechanics can and do often markup prices on parts by 100 to 200 percent, leaving you with a lot of savings to be had if you simply bring in the part and have them perform the labor only. Just ensure you’re getting the right part from a quality and reputable supplier.
Even for those who are unsure about the technical workings of their vehicle, there is savings to be had on car maintenance if you’re willing to do a little extra work on your end. Use the tips mentioned above to ease the financial burden of owning a vehicle today.