How the right car maintenance can save you money
For some, a car is the backbone of life. A car is how you get to your job. A car gets you to the grocery store. A car sees the children to school safely. A car represents summer road trips with family or friends. A car is all of these things and more to many people. With such a large role in our lives, keeping it working well is extremely important.
Proper car maintenance not only prevents your car from becoming a nuisance, but it can save you money in a number of ways. Every owner’s manual has information regarding the vehicle’s maintenance needs. Don’t ignore the manual; get your car in the shop regularly to make sure you stay on track.
1. Fewer big bills at the repair shop
Believe it or not, the more time you spend taking care of your car, the less money you’ll have to spend fixing it. When you prevent or catch small problems before they turn into big ones, you usually only pay small prices. If you wait until your car completely breaks down, chances are your costs will be much, much higher.
2. Better fuel efficiency
Ask most people about their new car’s fuel efficiency and they will probably quote you the manufacturer’s numbers. They might even tell you they can go days without even thinking about the gas gauge. But is this still true after a few years? By then you probably stopped caring about how fuel-efficient your car is, especially after the latest models come with even better numbers.
The more fuel you run through your system, the less efficient that system becomes. Following car tips like regularly replacing your fuel filter can keep you from spending extra money at the pump. Regular oil changes also help your fuel efficiency and can have other benefits for your car.
3. Longer-lasting cars = less money spent buying new vehicles
Canadian drivers actually hang onto their cars for a pretty long time when compared with Americans. If you don’t follow your prescribed car maintenance schedule, good luck keeping it around for 10 years. There’s something to be said for stretching the life of a car as far as
absolutely possible, instead of buying a new car every five years. Eventually, it may be desirable to buy a newer vehicle, thanks to technological developments or your changing needs. If you want to save more money, though, doing whatever you can to buy fewer cars is a good strategy.
4. Reduce the chances of an accident
If your car is functioning properly it performs better, its responses are more predictable, and that will keep you alive longer. The performance of a car’s break could mean the difference between avoiding a collision and totalling your car. The reduction in collisions also means lower auto insurance premiums for you, which is one of the best ways car maintenance can save you money each year.
Driving is a privilege, not a right. As one of the privileged, you should take good care of your driving tool. Not only will good car maintenance save you money, but it will also keep you and other drivers safe.