Car Maintenance Tips That Can Save You Money

We all know how important it is to see our doctor routinely to keep ourselves healthy and to catch small issues before they turn into larger concerns. Our cars are no different. Routine car maintenance can keep your vehicle running smoothly and keep it on the road longer. And as your vehicle gets older and sees more miles on the road, yearly car maintenance can help avoid big repair bills and keep more money in your pocket.

But more often than not, we tend to skip routine upkeep. Maybe we feel we just don’t have the time, we forget, or other expenses require more immediate attention. However, keeping up with general car maintenance could end up saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs in the future.

5 reasons regular car maintenance is important

Here are a few ways that yearly car maintenance and routine upkeep can help you stay safe, avoid big repair bills, and save money and stress down the line:

1. Improves gas mileage – With gas prices constantly fluctuating, a good way to save money is to refuel less often. Following a few general car maintenance tips like checking your tire pressure and keeping your alignment straight are ways to ensure you’re achieving maximum fuel efficiency — and maximum savings.

2. Spot problems before they get expensive – When you take your car in for routine service, most garages will perform their own free vehicle inspection to look for existing problems or soon-to-be problems. By catching potential issues early, you can avoid long-term damage and large repair bills.
   
   For example, during a routine oil change, a technician might notice your radiator hose is leaking. Coolant from your radiator helps prevent the engine from overheating, so a leaky hose could lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. However, if you get your oil changed on schedule, you can detect and replace that leaky hose before it causes expensive repairs.

3. Helps extend the life of your vehicle – Most drivers want their vehicle to run as long as possible. If your current car breaks down due to improper maintenance, you may have to finance a new or used vehicle. In addition to a down payment and other fees, that’s an expense that you might not have in your budget. When you keep your car running longer, you can avoid all of these costs.

4. Increases passenger safety – Keeping your car properly maintained reduces the risk of mechanical failures that lead to accidents or other costly issues on the road.

5. Saves time and reduces stress – Leaving your car at the mechanic’s shop for large repairs causes major disruptions in your everyday life and budget. Coordinating drop-off and pickup, paying for a rental car and missing time (and wages) from work are just a few.

Easy car maintenance tips

While most routine car maintenance should be performed by a trained mechanic, there are a few that don't require special tools or expert knowledge. Here are six easy and money-saving car maintenance tips you could do in your driveway:

(Be sure to reference your car owner's manual first before buying parts and fluids. Listed DIY costs are approximations.)

1. Check for low fluids. Keeping your car’s moving parts lubricated is essential to avoiding costly repairs or engine failure. Be sure to check and top off engine oil, engine coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid and windshield washer fluid. DIY cost: $5-$27 per bottle

2. Replace dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can decrease gas mileage and reduce airflow that can cause engine misfires and starting problems. Replace your engine air filter every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or when it’s visibly dirty. DIY cost: $27-$34

3. Clean battery terminals. Cleaning your battery terminals can help the battery perform stronger and longer — and you can do it yourself with a little baking soda and an old toothbrush. Check online for a quick tutorial or refer to your owner’s manual. DIY cost: Less than $1

4. Inspect and change fuses. Fuses are designed to protect circuits from becoming overloaded. If a fuse is blown and not changed, it can lead to more expensive problems or prevent your car from starting. Your owner’s manual can show you how to change or inspect a fuse using a pair of needle-nose pliers. DIY cost: $3-$5 per fuse

5. Replace worn wipers. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months or when they start to squeak, skip or smear. Check your owner’s manual for the correct size to purchase and read the packaging for installation instructions. DIY cost: $13-$53

6. Maintain good tire pressure. Bad tire pressure can lead to decreased fuel efficiency, increased tire wear and heightened risk of blowout. To maintain proper pressure, buy a pressure gauge and check each tire once a week to ensure they’re inflated to what your manual recommends. DIY cost: $5-$12