Owning a car is expensive; in fact, with the cost of gas and preventative maintenance, it can easily amount to thousands of dollars per year. Yet owning a car is a necessity for many, meaning that you may very well need to find a place for it in your budget. Here is a brief look at how you can make car ownership as budget friendly as possible.
Stick to a preventative maintenance schedule.
This is the very best way that you can help minimize the costs associated with owning a car. After all, it’s much less expensive to do a little maintenance work now than to pay the expensive repair costs that follow a car breakdown later. And when you take a few steps to optimize your car’s performance, you’ll get more out of your existing car parts, meaning you won’t need to replace those parts until much later. Here is a brief list of car maintenance items that you should always have on your radar:
Regular oil changes, as frequently as is recommended by your car manufacturer. This will help prevent the buildup of harmful deposits, which can seriously slow down fuel economy and make your car’s internal components work much harder.
Checking your transmission fluid. This is what keeps the gears in your car running smoothly, and it should always have a pinkish clear color. It should also be free of debris and at a sufficient level. Anything different, and it’s time to have your transmission fluid changed before your car encounters any serious problems with the transmission system. Note that transmission fluid typically gets changed much less frequently than engine oil—between every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
Checking your engine coolant. You need to check your coolant levels at least twice per year to ensure that your car doesn’t overheat.
Checking your brake fluid. Like transmission fluid, maintaining your brake fluid is more about monitoring quality than keeping levels up, as both fluids are part of a closed system. If when you check your brake fluid it isn’t golden brown in color, it’s time for a brake fluid change.
Keeping your windshield wiper fluid levels up. Simply put, this could keep you out of an expensive car accident.
Monitoring your tires. Don’t forget to stay on top of your tire pressure and wear, which will help you drive more safely and improve your fuel efficiency.
Notice that most of these common car maintenance items involve checking fluids. Stay on top of your car’s fluids, and you’re well on your way to avoiding expensive repairs.
Shop around.
You’d be surprised at the difference in pricing you’ll encounter for car repairs at the many different car dealerships and car repair shops in your area. Look for a reliable and affordable mechanic in your area before you actually need a repair, so that you won’t need to make any rash, expensive decisions in the event of an unexpected breakdown. If your car’s warranty has run out, chances are that a local car repair shop is cheaper than your dealership.