The purchase of a car is a necessity today in most states. The cost of maintaining a car is also an important factor when shopping. Some car manufacturers have maintenance incentives to lure prospective buyers into a purchase.
The most common incentive is the offer for free oil changes as long as you own the car. Thats great, as long as you pay the dealerships high costs for other maintenance like tune-ups, tire rotations, and brake pad inspections and or replacement which is part of the service contract when you sign on the line at the time of your purchase.
While you think you are saving money with the free oil changes the dealership is making you pay more money for their labor costs, usually about $100 an hour, for the pre-scheduled maintenance partly listed above most of all maintenance contracts. Still, the maintenance of your car is vital to keeping it running in the same condition as when you drove it off the lot.
- All the information you need to know about the maintenance of your car can be found in you “vehicle handbook” which is given to you at the time of your purchase and is usually located in the glove box or center console. You don’t need anyone to tell you what to do and when, it says it all there.
- The vehicle handbook will tell you which weight of oil your car needs i.e. 10W 30, how much air pressure your tires require for proper wear, and which size spark plugs your car needs.
- If you don’t have your vehicles handbook, the information can be retrieved from the Internet or by calling the local dealerships maintenance department for your vehicle.
- Several videos and chat rooms are available on the internet that can detail the steps necessary for the maintenance of your specific vehicle. Check out sites like YouTube for great support and even step-by-step videos.
- Knowing how to perform the maintenance of your car and doing it your self is the most frugal option.
- Not only do you save money by buying the parts yourself, but you save money on the high cost of paying a mechanic or dealership to do it.
For oil changes, which isn’t as hard or messy as you might think, shop your local auto parts store for sales and or manufacturer deals. For instance the last time I changed the oil in my car I found a deal in which Mobil 1 Oil was giving a free oil filter with the purchase of at least four courts of Mobil 1 oil. This deal saved me approximately $6 from my total cost.
If you are like most people you may not have the time, tools, or patience for performing your own cars maintenance. In this case finding a trusted mechanic is essential for your car and wallet. The web site Angie’s List can be useful to find a trusted mechanic in your area. The failure to maintain your car will cost you thousands of dollars in repairs, some of which may only be able to get done at a dealership which depends on the make and model of your car.
You’ll save more money, and more of your time by keeping up with a regular maintenance schedule, and never skipping the basics like oil changes in the long run.
Looking for more ways to save money? Check out other great DIY Projects!
By Dan, Free Stuff Finder Contributor
