3 Important Tips For Saving Money On Auto Maintenance
Posted on: 28 February 2017
Does it seem like you're constantly pouring money into your current vehicle? Do you wish that you could buy a more reliable car, but repairing your current vehicle is making it difficult to set aside any money? Owning a car can be an expensive necessity. Without a vehicle, you can't get to work. Without going to work, you obviously can't get your vehicle fixed. It's a vicious cycle. However, there is hope. There are a variety of ways to save money on your auto maintenance bills so that you have more money to spend on other things. Some things that you can try include:
Multiple repairs at once: If your transmission needs to be adjusted, now may be a perfect time to replace your fan belt or some of your engine's hoses if they're nearing the end of their life. Belts, hoses, and even some wiring often will need to be completely disconnected or removed in order to access other engine parts for repairs. As a result, having new parts installed in their place can result in only a very nominal fee for the materials themselves. If you wait for these parts to wear out completely before you have them replaced, you'll have to pay for the additional labor costs as well as the parts themselves.
Install used parts: When it comes to auto maintenance, certain used parts can be just as good as new ones from a dealer. A motor for your passenger-side window may cost hundreds of dollars if you let your repair shop purchase it straight from the dealership. On the other hand, purchasing a similar used motor can have a price tag that's a mere fraction of that. Not all auto repair shops will install used parts, so make sure to find out whether or not this is possible before you take your vehicle in.
Do basic repairs yourself: Although auto maintenance can be intimidating, learning how to do at least some of it yourself can be quite rewarding. If you learn how to change your own oil, filters, and even some of the belts or spark plugs, you'll have more money left over to put towards larger repair bills. Visit your local auto parts store and ask about repair manuals for your make and model of vehicle. These will show you how to do almost any repair, but you don't have to do anything that you're not confident about.
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