Dos and Don'ts of Car Maintenance to Save Money
Cars are expensive! They must be bought or rented, insured, repaired, and maintained. We're going to go over some areas where car owners tend to overspend in order to help you keep your car in good condition for less.
Familiarize Yourself with the Principles of Interviewing:
When you get your new car out of the parking lot, your dealership may give you a service book.
- However, the only maintenance book you need to follow is the one given to you by your car manufacturer. Your vehicle's manual contains the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
- Dealers will often provide a service log to urge you to do unnecessary maintenance at the home of course. Do not get fooled!
Limit Gasoline:
Despite what the gas station commercials would have you believe, very few cars actually have expensive high octane gasoline.
- Most classic cars are designed to run perfectly well on cheaper gasoline (87 octanes).
Take off the Oil Change Reminder Sticker:
Oil change services encourage you to change your car's oil every 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles). There are even stickers on your windshield to remind you of the date of the next service.
- In reality, most cars have no problem going 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) without an oil change, and some may put even double that.
- Consult your car owner's manual and ask the manufacturer what it really is.
Keep your Eye on the Tire Pressure:
By checking the tire pressure every month, you can realize major savings on mechanics' bills.
- You and your passengers will also be safer knowing that the tires are not over or under-inflated to prevent them from bursting.
- Poor pressure also reduces fuel efficiency while increasing wear on brakes and steering systems.
- The maximum tire pressure is indicated their sidewall.
- Many cars also have an even bigger number: the suggested tire pressure shown on the inside of the driver's side door.
Never compromise on the safety of your car or its repairs. However, there are many ways that people invest money in their cars in a suboptimal way. Use this guide to stay informed and save money.
