Three Easy Things That Can Save You Money on Car Maintenance
Many frugal living enthusiasts save money by taking public transportation or riding a bike whenever possible. Considering the cost of gas, driving can be a huge and often superfluous expense. Unfortunately, the reality is that owning a car is a necessity for most people.
As a car owner, you understand the importance of having regular maintenance performed on your vehicle to extend its life and avoid costly future repairs. You may not know, however, that a lot of what you spend paying someone else to do it is a waste of money. You can put your savings account to good use by avoiding simple car maintenance labor costs and deposit the extra money instead. Here are a few tips on how to save money by doing your own easy car maintenance.
Replace the Air Filter
The filter keeps things like dirt and bugs from entering the engine of your car and a clean air filter is essential for optimum engine performance. Even so, this is a very easy and inexpensive part to replace.
If you knew how much extra you were being charged in labor to have your filter changed, you would have started doing it yourself a long time ago. The process involves unhooking and unscrewing a few latches, taking the old filter out, popping in a new one and closing up. It really only takes five minutes. Sometimes, you can just wash the one you have with some dish soap and water and let it air-dry to avoid shelling out for a new one.
Changing Windshield Wipers
In order to drive safely, your windshield wipers need to provide you with a clear view of the road. Depending upon the weather where you live, you may rely on them quite heavily. Eventually, the rubber component breaks down and begins to streak and smear, necessitating a blade replacement about once a year.
Admittedly, this can be tricky. If attempting windshield wiper blade replacement causes your blood pressure rise, go ahead and pay someone else to do it. Otherwise, you can buy the blades from just about anywhere that sells basic automotive items, like Pep Boys or even Target, and change them out yourself.
Oil Changes
This is for serious do-it-yourselfers who don’t mind getting a little dirty in the name of frugality. It requires a bit more skill than other maintenance jobs but will save big bucks in the long run.
Think about how often you have to take your car in for an oil change. You spend around $30 or more each visit, assuming someone doesn’t talk you into spending more on other previously mentioned easy maintenance tasks, and you have it done 3-4 times a year.
Changing it yourself will instead run about $4 per quart of oil, after the initial investment into whatever tools you don’t have yet. Remember to properly dispose of the dirty oil as well to avoid a hefty fine.
If you’re not a hands-on kind of person, starting out may be slow. With patience and some practice you’ll be an expert and save hundreds of dollars a year.
Most importantly: always be sure to read your car’s manual first and follow all safety guidelines. Saving money on car maintenance isn’t worth it if you end up with hospital bills.
This guest post was written by Go Banking Rates, bringing you informative personal finance content and helpful tools. You can follow them on Twitter at @GoBankingRates
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By Contributor, on Jun 16, 2010
Contributors are other personal finance bloggers and frugal bloggers. We occasionally feature their work to help our community spread financial literacy and awareness.
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I’ve always suspected that the changing of the air filter was something I shouldn’t be paying for. I tend to get my oil changed at a quick lube place (using coupons of course) as I’m not the ‘get dirty’ type when it comes to cars, but it does sound like I could probably take care of the air filter myself.
Thanks for the tip!
I have found that at many parts places, they will replace things like batteries, air filters and windshield wipers free of charge. You may have to wait a minute or two for them to finish with other customers, but I have always found them to be extremely helpful and happy to do this.
All the damage under the hood of my car is due to oil change places so I won’t let them touch my car unless I’m deathly ill & out of oil.
An example being – the housing for my air filter is broken because some nim-rod was too lazy to take out the screws that held it closed and instead just pryed it open. And they weren’t even supposed to touch the blasted filter.
In total I’ve had about 8 or 9 broken parts under the hood thanks to those places.
The piece of mind is priceless and worth any mess I have to deal with.
All good ideas to keep your car running more smoothly. Take a few moments for prevention and you will save yourself a huge headache down the road.
Another I might add is keep your tires properly inflated. Get a little tire gauge and keep it in the glove box. When you get gas, check those tires.
I used to do all my own work but i do confess that I’m a little nervous about doing on my new car. What with all the computers and what not.
my guy friend showed me how to change the oil in my car once, which actually wasn’t very complex. i still prefer to change it at the shop only bc i don’t have anyone around to monitor the change, and i wouldn’t want to end up on the side of the road bc i did it wrong. plus the $20 – $30 includes tire air, fluids and an occasional rotation. i’m sure anyone at any Auto Zone or Pep Boys could help you change your air filter if you can’t find a friend to show you, so good tip. i think one time Masterlube wanted to charge me $25 for it
I’m big on doing as much maintenance as I can on my car, but the oil isn’t ever going to be one of the projects I tackle! Changing the air filter and wipers, and checking/replacing fluids as necessary are key to keeping my car running well.
Please, someone hit me in the face. Why do you change your oil 3-4 times a year?
You only need to change oil every 12-15k miles, using fully synthetic oil with extended performance, like Amsoil, Mobil1 or Castrol. The damn thing says “15k miles guaranteed”. Get the same GOOD filter and you’re good to go (not the crappy one). Change your filter twice within the interval will help with more protection.
Do that math and research if you want to save money, people! It costs less, it takes less time, it is more protective and it’s science.
crappy oil change = $15 or more, 3k miles
Mobil1 synthetic extended performance + filter = $40-45 (30 if there is sale @ autozone, o’reilly), 12-15k miles.
now, how much you save in time, effort, environment and oil consumption? leave alone synthetic oil seals better, especially 0-30 so it improves mileage too