It is no secret that Americans have been holding on
to their cars longer, thanks in part to better built cars and an uncertain
economy, factors which also lead to more and more drivers doing more of their
own repairs. In fact, a survey conducted by AutoMD.com found that 3 out 4 of
those who rely on a mechanic say that economic conditions are making them more
likely to attempt their own repairs.
However, as we have all found, there are simple
mistakes that everyone, from your average first timer to the most seasoned
veteran, can make. Either way, whether you like to go under the hood or take
your vehicle to the shop, here are the top 5 expensive repair and maintenance
mistakes to avoid:
1)
Neglecting oil changes and other simple maintenance
This one is simple folks; saving a few bucks by ignoring
simple preventative maintenance, such as oil changes or failing to make minor repairs
today, could mean having to spend thousands of dollars in auto repair bills
tomorrow.
For example, neglecting to change the oil and filter
periodically will increase contaminants and shorten the engine life, which in
the worst case scenario could lead to a complete engine replacement. Keeping
that in mind, the cost for an oil and filter change ranges from $25 to $65,
depending on whether you do it yourself or at the shop. Meanwhile, an engine
replacement on your car can cost more than $4,000!
2)
Self diagnosing your car
Without offending our repair veterans out there, assuming
you know what’s wrong with your vehicle could actually lead to needless repair
and more money out of your pocket.
For example, you might think that your car needs new
spark plugs or an engine tuneup, when in reality you really need the mass air
flow sensor cleaned. However if you tell your mechanic to replace the spark
plugs without letting him diagnose the problem, he will do it and charge you
for it, leaving you with the same unresolved issue. Always let your mechanic
diagnose the problem to prevent unnecessary repairs.
3)
Driving on bald or under inflated tires
Somewhere out there you will find many car owners that
are driving on tires that have not been properly maintained. In reality, this
happens because people simply forget to check their tires or because they don’t
have either the time or money to get them checked.
Being aware of your tires can be a big money saver
for you. For one thing, proper maintenance maximizes your tires life cycle,
which means fewer tire replacements. Also, keeping your tires inflated to the
proper pressure can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. On the other
hand, driving on bald tires can lead to blowouts, expensive damage to other
components of your car or even lead to an accident.
Jerry’s offers free tires for life every time you
purchase a new or used vehicle from any of our Toyota, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi
and Scion dealers. Combine that with free air refills when you bring your
vehicle for service, and you have no reason why your tires shouldn’t be in tip
top condition!
4)
Taking your car into the shop for simple repairs you can do yourself
Even though it can be a terrifying task, everyone ,
from those who have never attempted to the most experience handy man, can
perform certain basic repairs with very little guidance.
Some basic repairs you can easily do yourself to
save some money include replacing your wiper blades, replacing light bulbs, or
even replacing a fuse or an air filter. Educate yourself on how to perform
these repairs and give them a go. There are plenty of online resources and
how-to guides that can guide you on exactly what to do.
Sometimes, when you purchase a part, a staff member
might be able to walk you through the job in the parking lot, if it’s easy
enough. One benefit to performing these easy jobs, is that it just may provide you
with the courage you need to attempt even more of your own car repairs, which
can lead to more savings.
5)
Ignoring the Symptoms
The biggest mistake we see from drivers, especially
during times of financial need, is ignoring potential problems with their car.
Never ignore a persistent symptom with your car.
Paying attention to your car’s symptoms will not only help you identify a major
problem early, it will also help you avoid potentially serious safety issues, and
help save you a lot of money.
Sometimes, the cause of a symptom is a simple problem
with an fix. If this problem is ignored, it could result in a bigger, more
expensive, issue developing. For example, if your vehicle pulls to one side
while driving, the tire pressure may be low in one of the front tires. The
simple fix for this problem could be removing a nail and patching the tire,
however by ignoring this symptom you could risk your vehicle getting a flat
tire, which could even cause an accident.
Also, never ignore your check engine light because
you think your car is running fine, as you never know what is causing the check
engine light to come on. For example, your fuel efficiency could be reduced by
as much as 40 percent because of a faulty oxygen sensor.
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