How to save money on car maintenance
Looking after our cars is something many of us are quite passionate about. They are, after all, probably the second biggest expense in our lives behind our homes. But keeping our cars running well into their old age doesn’t need to leave you with empty pockets.
There are ways to save money on car maintenance if you know how and where to look and here, we’ll be giving you a few top tips to get you started.
Second-hand car parts
You don’t necessarily need to get brand new replacement parts for your car when something goes wrong. Cars are essentially a modular construction built up of hundreds of moving parts and many can be replaced without causing much fuss.
Whether that part is brand new or not doesn’t matter as long as it’s in good condition and actually works. This is true whether you’re looking for replacement brake pads or tyres. Indeed, shopping for cheap tyres online is something most petrol heads will be familiar with.
Read the manual
When you get a new car, more often than not you’ll be given an incredibly thick and weighty tome. Don’t just shove it in the glove compartment and forget about it. Take it to bed with you and get to know it. Even consider leaving it in the bathroom if that’s where you get your reading done. But try to pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Use online help
YouTube is an incredibly helpful resource as it not only allows experts to tell you what to do but show you too. There are thousands of videos online offering step-by-step instructions for common car maintenance tasks and even more complicated fixes. It’s always going to be a little different depending on the make and model of your car but it should at least give you a good idea of the basics.
Regularly check maintenance
You don’t have to be a professional mechanic to have a crack at maintaining your car if there’s nothing too seriously wrong with it. Things such as checking the oil using the dipstick and ensuring there’s enough fluid in the windscreen wipers and even things like keeping the tyres full of air and rotated rather than taking it to a garage. And for the love of God don’t ignore any warning lights.
If in doubt, shop around for a mechanic
If you really think that you’ll just end up making things worse and need to contact a mechanic, don’t just go for the first one you find. Ask around with friends and family for reputable mechanics in the area. And don’t be afraid to hit up social media if you’re really lost!
