Car maintenance on a budget!

Do you own a car? Then you know all about the headaches they can cause when they need repairs. Often it feels as if the car is just a big pit where your money falls in every month.

Our roads don’t make it easier either, as some potholes seem engineered to destroy your front end. While we lament the cost of car parts and labour whenever repairs are to be done, is there anything we can do to maintain our vehicles on a budget?

Don’t wait until it’s too late!

The best way to keep your car running well is to keep it going before it needs major repairs! Getting regular maintenance done can help prolong the life of your car.  Get your oil changed regularly, have the tires rotated and aligned, replace filters, get recommended or needed tune-ups, and so on.

Though this costs money, it costs a lot less money than a blown transmission or engine from vehicle neglect!

Don’t ignore warning lights

Often people ignore warning signs that their vehicle while still running, is in need of some overhaul. This can have serious repercussions as the car will eventually break down and cost a lot to repair. For example, if you see a light come on in your car about oil, pull over as soon as you safely can and turn off the engine.

Labour costs

Everyone has a horror story about dishonest mechanics who collect huge sums of money then present vehicles that still are not in working order.  It goes without saying that you must by choose your mechanic carefully to ensure that you get value for your money.  Call around to do price comparisons, so that you know where to get the best deal for the work that needs to be done but also check referrals to ensure quality service.

If you are mechanically inclined, or have a family member or friend who is, search for the needed repair on YouTube, and see if you can do the work yourself. Especially for relatively simple repairs, this could be a great option to save your family money.

Do your research. Often mechanics will quote a price for parts that your car needs, however instead of just accepting the quote, do your own price check. This simple research will include calling around at different auto parts stores. Some stores offer discounts on selected parts so be sure to ask about any promotions or deals.

So how do you maintain your car on a budget? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online Writer

Tags: budget, car, maintenance, mechanic, price, vehicle