Drive Down Car Maintenance Expenses

Putting off car maintenance can be tempting; however, if you spend money along the way to maintain your car you can help prevent costly repairs down the road and prolong the life of your vehicle.

1. Keep your tires inflated. Ensuring you have the proper pressure in your tires can improve your gas mileage. You can usually find the correct tire pressure level for your car printed on the sticker on the driver’s side door or glove box. According to Edmunds, keeping your tires properly inflated can save you up to $112 per year.
2. Rotate your tires regularly. The front tires tend to wear more quickly than the rear tires, so switching them ensures that all four tires wear evenly. Buying four tires at once can save you in the long run, rather than buying two tires each time they need to be replaced.
3. Ease to a stop. Extend the life of your brakes by simply easing into a stop rather than slamming on the pedal. You can extend the life of your brakes and get 20,000-30,000 miles from them rather than the average 10,000 miles. If you’re able to save changing brake pads three to four times, it could equal up to $1,000 in savings over the life of the car.
4. Replace your air filter. Maintaining your air filter not only keeps dirt out of the engine, but it also improves fuel economy. Typically, you should replace your filter every 30,000 miles but check your owner’s manual for the exact specified time.
5. Consider synthetic oil. Though synthetic oil is a bit more costly, you can get 7,000 miles by using it. You’ll also have fewer visits to the repair shop and avoid the service fees associated with an oil change.

Keeping up with the maintenance of your car not only helps to keep your car on the road longer, it can help you save a lot of money over the life of the car. Check your owner’s manual for more tips and directions for maintaining your car.