08/12/2024
I have put together this list of the six most costly car maintenance mistakes people commonly make. Keep these in mind to avoid expensive repair bills and potentially permanent damage to your car.
-Oil Changes
It was long said that your oil should be changed every 3,000 miles, but with newer cars that may not necessarily be the case. However, that doesn’t mean oil changes should be put off excessively. It’s important to follow your car’s manufacturer recommendations regarding how often the oil should be changed, especially if your vehicle doesn’t have an oil light in the dash. Don’t go more than 8,000-10,000 miles before changing your oil, because bad oil will cause engine damage that will be very expensive to fix. It’s also important that you use the right weight and type of oil for your vehicle.
-Check Engine Light
There’s a reason cars have warning lights, so ignoring them doesn’t do you any good. If your Check Engine Light or any other warning light turns on, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. Something that could be as inexpensive as $20 to fix could grow into a $2,000 problem if you procrastinate getting it looked at. Being proactive when it comes to your car will save you money in the long run, so it’s not worth it to ignore something like this.
-Tire Pressure
While you might think the only reason you need to check your tire pressure is to avoid a flat, there’s more to it than that. In fact, underinflated and overinflated tires hugely impact your car’s gas mileage. You can find a pressure gauge at auto part stores for a few bucks, so it’s a good idea to have one in your glove box to check it every few times you fill up your tank. Another piece of tire maintenance that is often overlooked is the need to rotate your tires regularly. Rotating your tires is vital to avoid wearing the treads down too quickly and unevenly. Tire rotation will help your tires last longer, which means you won’t have to worry about buying replacements for a while. While it depends on your car model, it is recommended you rotate your tires every six months or every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.
-Brakes
Your brakes are one of the most vital parts of your car. Not only do they keep you safe, they also keep others around you safe as well. That means that replacing your brake pads regularly is not something you should ignore. It will ensure your car is safe to operate while preventing undue damage to your brake rotors. If you hear a loud, screeching noise when you come around a corner or you feel a grinding when you push down on your brake pedal, it’s time to take your car to the shop.
-Fluids
Your car requires a few different fluids along with your oil in order to operate properly. Brake fluid, antifreeze, and transmission fluid should all be checked, refilled, and replaced on a regular schedule to keep your car running smoothly. If you don’t do this on a regular basis, it will end up damaging the components in your car, many of which are very expensive to repair or replace. As with most maintenance, an inexpensive preventative measure will end up saving you money in the long run.
-Filters
Air and fuel filters are another important piece of your car’s inner workings. If they get too dirty, it can result in more problems down the line. Luckily, they’re both pretty inexpensive to replace. If you put off replacing them when they’re too dirty, it can damage components in your car, including your catalytic converter. If that is damaged it can cost nearly $1,000 to repair or replace it.
Staying on top of your car’s maintenance will ensure it runs well for longer while also saving you money. It’s important for you to keep these tips in mind to avoid potential disaster.
