Car maintenance usually isn’t something people want to think about or take care of because of the costs involved. But the truth is paying a few hundred dollars in maintenance now could save you thousands of dollars in repairs in the long-run. Setting goals can help you stay on track with your vehicle maintenance and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Here are some routine car maintenance goals that can help you save money.
Regular Checks That Can Save Money
Regular vehicle checks that many people don’t think about include throttle body cleanings, fuel injector cleanings, and other checks on the maintenance system. If you start feeling like your vehicle isn’t performing as it should, chances are you have some clogged lines or engine sludge preventing it from operating at its highest potential. With regular maintenance checks, these issues can be prevented and cleaned before getting to the point where components have to be replaced.
Cooling System Repairs
Cooling system checks and repairs are recommended every 30,000 miles or every couple of years, depending on how much you drive your vehicle. This type of maintenance usually costs less than $200, but you could be looking at a $2,000 repair bill in the future if you avoid doing it. A dysfunctional cooling system can lead to various problems, which are often preventable with regular maintenance.
Secrets About Turbo Engines
If you drive a vehicle with a turbo engine, each oil change needs to be done exactly on time. Turbo engines run a little hotter than standard engines, which means they burn oil at a faster pace. Oil changes need to be completed as closely as possible to 5,000 miles. If you try to stretch your oil change, you could be causing significant damage to components of the engine and a repair bill of a couple of thousand dollars. You have to get your oil changed anyway, so stick with the 5,000-mile maintenance schedule when you’re working with a turbo engine.
Battery Terminal Maintenance
Batteries can sometimes put out corrosion on the terminals, which looks like a hairy blue or white ball. It’s important to get that off of the battery terminals as soon as possible. Not doing so could eventually cause the battery terminals to rust and deteriorate the performance and lifespan of the battery quicker. Vehicle batteries aren’t cheap, so extending them as long as you reasonably can is ideal for most vehicle owners.
At DeBoer’s Auto, we’ve seen first-hand what can happen when people don’t bring their vehicles in for routine maintenance checks. That’s why we help our customers stick with a regular maintenance schedule as much as possible. For every few hundred dollars you spend, you could be saving a few thousand dollars, so it’s worth it to take the advice of your auto technician when they suggest certain maintenance actions. We are ready to help in any way we can, so contact us today to schedule a maintenance appointment for your vehicle.
