Money-Saving Car Upkeep Tips
Owning a car can make a dent in your wallet. Besides your house, it can be your most costly recurring expense. But there are ways you can lessen the impact on your budget when it comes to car maintenance.
Choose the Best Oil for Your Car
It’s customary to change your oil every 3,000 miles at the garage, and just go with whatever oil they suggest. But with a little research, you can save some cash. The owner’s manual of your car tells you the type of oil your car needs. Standard oil often does the trick, you can skip the pricey high-performance or high-mileage oil. Also, consider that synthetic oil can last between 6,000 to 10,000 miles in many new cars. While it’s a tad pricier, it’s a better bargain in the long run because you won’t need to change it as often.
Look After Your Tires
Replacing tires isn’t cheap, so they demand proper maintenance to last. Rotate your tires roughly every 6,000 miles or whenever you change your oil. Many tire shops offer this service for free if you bought your tires from them, so save your cash. Remember to inflate your tires correctly to avoid poor gas mileage or the risk of a blowout. Double-check the treads of your tires to ensure they are safe to drive on and watch out for signs of dry rot. It’s smart to invest in new tires than in the cost of a car accident.
Get Your Own Parts
Some repair shops let you bring your own parts to avoid the markup that comes with buying parts through them. You can buy parts at shops like AutoZone or even online at Amazon. Saving on small inexpensive parts can add up to significant savings over your car’s life.
DIY Maintenance
This tip’s quite popular since doing your car’s repairs saves on labor costs. Simple fixes like changing wiper blades, rotating the tires, changing oil, replacing lights, or installing a new battery can be done on your own with a bit of knowledge or willingness to learn. Plenty of online tutorials are available to help.
Remember that while keeping a car can be expensive, you have the power to make it less so. By being prudent, doing regular maintenance, and spotting savings opportunities, you can maintain more dollars in your pocket.