5 Costly Car Maintenance Mistakes – and How to Save a Fortune Caring for Your Car
Many people don’t realize how much money they can save if they were to just take the time to do some simple things for their car. Every one is busy today, with work and relationships and lots of other stresses, but taking ten minutes out of your hectic schedule to do some simple care care maintenance, can save you time and money in the long run.
Here are the most common car maintenance mistakes you should try to avoid:
1) Tires not being properly inflated – First you will need a tire pressure gauge. You can get a reliable gauge for as little as $5. Then look on your tire for the recommended tire pressure. Then check your tire pressure.
Proper tire inflation can help in a number of ways. First is that a properly inflated tire can save gas, a precious commodity these days. Having tires with the right amount of pressure makes them last longer, and do their job better. Over or under inflated tires could blow out, causing an accident, or you have to replace or repair it. If you have to use a spare, don’t drive around on it like a normal tire, they aren’t designed to drive around on, just enough to get you to a repair shop.
2) Fluid levels too high or too low – Not only do you need to check the fluid levels but you need to be sure to check them at the correct time in the correct way. For instance if you own a car in an automatic the car should be warm. On top of the car being warm the parking brake needs to be on and the car in neutral. When checking the engine oil the car again should be warm but in this case the car needs to be turned off. It is important to remember the car must be cold when checking the radiator fluid levels. Not doing so can result in serious injury due to build up.
3) Changing your own oil – At first it seems like a good idea, saving money by changing your own oil. But it actually isn’t worth it. First you have to raise your car, then drain the oil, which ends up being really messy. Then, you wind up having to dispose of the oil, which isn’t easy. You can’t just throw it in the trash.
Taking your vehicle to a lube shop is much better, because they check and top off everything, lubricate the chassis, and more, for one low price. If you do the math, not only is it cheaper, but it usually is finished in ten minutes, compared to the hours spent doing it on your own.
4) Not having regular brake inspections, or not changing the pads often enough – That incessant squeal every time you apply the brake is a warning that the pads have worn down to the studs, and are scraping against the drums and rotors. Taking the time to have the brakes changed, for under two hundred dollars in most cases, is a lot cheaper than having to replace the rotors and drums.
5) Not tightening the gas cap all the way – Sometimes people go to the shop thinking there is something wrong with their car because the check engine light is on. Then end up having to pay for a diagnosis, when the only thing that was wrong is the gas cap was loose. Always be sure your gas cap is on tight, so there is no air interfering with your fuel intake and causing the check engine light to come on.
Is it difficult to find a good Salt Lake City mechanic? Want high quality service at a great price without waiting around all day for it? Then Check out www.slcautorepair.com and speak to a service professional without leaving your home. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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