Expenses regarding your car can add up quickly. You can learn new skills and save money by doing vehicle work yourself. Additionally, the more diligent you are about your car maintenance, the more likely your vehicle is to function properly.
You don’t want to be in a situation where you get into an accident and have to hire a car accident attorney.
Luckily, there are ways to keep your vehicle in good shape without breaking the bank. The following are ways to save money and get the most out of your vehicle.
1. Do Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance helps to prevent your vehicle from accumulating wear and tear. You can save thousands of dollars by doing preventive maintenance.
Standard tasks which fall under the umbrella of preventive maintenance include tire rotations and oil changes. However, preventive maintenance may also include:
Replacing Windshield Wipers
It can be dangerous to drive with old windshield wipers – it can even lead to a car accident. Replace your windshield wipers every six months to make sure you can see well in the snow or rain.
Refilling Battery Electrolyte
You need to top off your battery’s electrolyte using distilled water when your car has a flooded lead acid battery. A lot of batteries have green lights which shut off when they need water.
Check water levels once per week and note how often the battery needs to be watered. Then set a schedule regarding topping off the battery.
Replacing Spark Plugs
Spark plugs can experience wear and tear, particularly from temperatures. Regular vehicle use can also wear them out. Their lifespan can also be shortened if you fail to change the air filters of your vehicle. Replace your spark plugs around every 30,000 miles.
Testing Your Battery
A dying battery will need more power from the alternator. This can lead to less fuel efficiency. Weak batteries can also wear down other car parts.
Test your battery twice per year using a multimeter. Try recharging your battery with a charger if you notice issues. Otherwise, you should replace it if your battery seems to be on its last legs or if it’s old – around four or five years old.
Changing Filters
Fuel, cabin air and air filters are vital for preventing debris from getting in your vehicle’s fuel lines, interior and engine. Debris and dust can wear down engines and shorten their lifespan. Air filters keep you safe and healthy by reducing pollution. Filters should be changed around every 20,000 or 40,000 miles. Cabin air filters need to be changed around once per year.
2. Keep Up With Oil Changes
Changing your oil can be inconvenient, and if you use synthetic oil, it can also be expensive. However, it can definitely save you long-term money. Oil prevents your engine from overheating by lubricating it. It will definitely cost much more money to replace an entire engine than it will to regularly change your oil.
3. Heed Warning Signs
When cars start to rattle, check engine lines come on, or engines sputter when you turn your key, don’t ignore these warning signs. For a lot of car problems, they get worse as you ignore them longer.
Rattling might mean several things, such as a dying catalytic converter. This can cause startup issues and engine damage. Then you need to shell out big bucks to fix numerous things.
If something feels, sounds or looks off, check it. Taking care of problems quickly can, in the long run, save money.
4. Change Your Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is as important to your vehicle’s transmission as oil is to your vehicle’s engine. The fluid lubricates your transmission, making sure your transmission functions properly. Simple transmission repairs may cost $800, but rebuilds can cost a couple thousand dollars and replacements can cost up to $7,000. Changing your transmission fluid is, comparatively, pocket change.
5. Carry an Air Pressure Gauge
You can improve your gas mileage (saving gas money) by maintaining an optimum amount of air pressure inside of your tires. This can also extend your tires’ life and make sure your vehicle is safe. A tire gauge usually costs under $10.
6. Check Your Alignment
Checking your alignment will ensure that your tires experience even wear by controlling the angle of your tires. It also helps to increase fuel efficiency. Check your alignment once per year, or whenever you notice any pull while you drive.
7. Change Your Light Bulbs
It is not difficult to change most vehicles’ light bulbs yourself instead of paying a mechanic to do it. They are usually either pull out, push in bulbs or have twist-and-pull bases. You can find replacement bulbs in auto parts stores, or even hardware stores. It can sometimes be tricky to access bulbs. Check your manual or check online if it isn’t obvious how to access your bulbs.
Going through all of these steps can ensure that your car is properly maintained. Ideally, this maintenance will keep it in good working order. Stay diligent and safe on the road. After all, it would be less-than-ideal if you got in an accident and had to hire an auto accident lawyer.
