Tag: Car Makes

Could Simple Maintenance Save You On Car Repair Costs?

When people think about auto repair, they immediately think about the high-priced solutions that are at Repair Shops. This happens a lot, too. You go to an auto body shop and they look under the hood, only to find out that you have a lot of work that needs done. They could give you an estimate for hundreds if not thousands of dollars, causing you to grimace at the price tag. How can one drop the price a bit? Well, that’s the thing about repairing cars, only a few people know how to do it correctly, and everyone else has to pay for the labor and the parts. But there is a way to reduce the overall cost, and it starts with understanding a few tips about maintenance. If you can just do a few simple things, you could reduce the cost of your repair bills outright. Take into consideration the following simple tips.

Use The Right Fuel

Do not go with premium fuel. Premium gasoline is not only going to be expensive, it’s not going to save your engine. In fact, you could end up doing what is called “pinging”, in your car. What this does, is it causes the engine to burn elements a bit faster, and could end up causing your car to end up with an engine fire over time. Now there are some exceptions to this rule, but chances are you are not driving a race car. Only special cars really need the premium gas that stations sell, and it’s not the average consumer. Don’t be fooled, don’t buy premium unless your owner’s manual specifically says that you should, simple as that.

Changing The Oil Properly

Every 3,000 miles, right? Well, that’s no longer the case. Today, you’re going to have to read your owner’s manual carefully. You can always try to go with 3,000-mile oil changes, but if your car isn’t that old, and has been made after 1992, you do not need to follow this rule. In fact, you could cause damage to the parts, especially for those that have to use a special type of motor oil. Read your owner’s manual, follow that as the bottom line, and don’t believe the hype that surrounds changing oil at every 3,000 miles, it’s not necessary.

Do Not Ignore The Lights

The lights on your dashboard are important. If you don’t understand them, then look at the owner’s manual and figure out what is wrong. Do not let the lights come up and ignore them. This includes tire pressure lights, check engine lights, and the dreaded oil light. If you ignore these, chances are to pay big bucks later. Some people have even driven for miles, but there will be a point where your car breaks down, and you’ll end up with a serious issue. Do not ignore the lights, and always double check what the lights mean if you don’t know what is going on. Doing so, will save you from making the costly error of ignoring them. Once you figure out the issue, go to a trusted Mechanic and save money on a bigger issue.

Tips To Avoid Car Repair Scams

It’s easy to get caught up with car repair issues. When you don’t know much about how to repair a vehicle, you are going to consult a mechanic at one point or another. Many Repair Shops know that people don’t know much about their vehicles, so often they take advantage of consumers. This is a major issue that can cost you a great deal of money. To offset that, you’re going to want to pursue a different path. In fact, consider the following tips that can help you avoid getting scammed, especially if you need some simple repairs.

Learn To Fix Smaller Issues

With the nature of the internet, you can look online and figure out what to do for minor things. Look online for tutorial videos, and different “how to” articles about your specific make and model. You’ll find that you can do a lot of the things that many garages charge a lot for, by yourself. Things like changing spark plugs, changing wires, fluids, adding different components, and even fixing filters etc., you can do a lot. This can save you hundreds of dollars. It’s easy to get through, even if you have a newer model that is normally difficult to manage. Just look online for how to learn to fix smaller issues, and you’ll no doubt be able to gain the upper hand.

Look For Reputable Mechanics

The next thing that you can do is simple, look online for a Mechanic that has been reviewed favorably. You can find a lot of reviews on the web, and they can tell you how to work with the right things moving forward. Looking for reputable mechanics is not a difficult matter, it’s just a matter of looking into reviews online. You’ll be surprised by how many people have reviewed mechanics near you.

Get Estimates

A Repair Shop that doesn’t allow you to get a free estimate is not to be trusted. Do not go with any company that doesn’t allow you to get an estimate of the issues that you’re having. You’ll find that you will end up with a positive view of garages and what the differences are in terms of pricing. Unless your car is not working at all, you should go around your area getting estimates. Always look to see what the cost for parts are, and then compare that to the labor. Ask the individuals if you can buy the parts yourself, and just pay for labor, and whether you can save money through other means. A reputable garage will give you a good quote, with no strings attached, and may give you a discount if you purchase their parts etc.

Use A Warranty

If your car is newer, you may be under warranty. Many consumers forget about this, or don’t inquire with their local dealership. Always look to see if your vehicle is under any warranty, and if it is, seek out specific help from the dealer and a garage that they are associated with. This will help you gain the upper hand with your car repairs, and could save you a great deal of money.