Saving money is one of life's little pleasures, along with paid holidays and buffets. Car owners don't get to experience the joy of saving money very frequently, as the cost of vehicle ownership is actually rising according to a AAA study. But there are ways around everything, even for today's embattled car owner. We want to help you reduce your car maintenance cost, so we're offering 5 ways that every car owner can keep more money in their pocket.
1) Don't be afraid to use aftermarket parts - Many vehicle owners don't realize that there are companies other than their vehicle manufacturer who make parts for their vehicles. Parts made by the manufacturer are called OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, and those made by separate companies are referred to as aftermarket parts. In the vast majority of cases, aftermarket parts are cheaper than OEM. The other benefits of using aftermarket parts are increased availability, more choices, and sometimes better quality as the parts are 'reverse-engineered' and, in some cases, deficiencies that were present in the original part are worked out. The potential drawbacks are the potential for poor quality as they will vary widely depending on the manufacturer, and the fact that they may not be covered by a warranty.
2) Don't warm up your car - We know that many people think they need to warm their car up before driving it, whether it's because they believe it allows it to run better or because they prefer to get into a warm car when it's the middle of the winter, but the one indisputable result of warming your car up is wasting gas. And wasting gas = WASTING MONEY. In a modern car, the components that you need to worry about reach their optimal running temperature within 45 seconds of starting our car, so there is no reason to sit in your driveway revving the engine, unless you're trying to impress the cute neighbor staring out the window at you. Similarly, don't keep your car idling while you run into the convenience store to buy scratch tickets, or go home to take a nap. Turn the car off if you have something to do that takes longer than a minute or two, it's really not that difficult to turn your key again.
3) Stick with independent repair shops - Unless you're driving a special or very specific vehicle, such as Ferrari or a Bugatti, you should feel comfortable using an independent repair shop to service and repair your vehicle. Independent repair facilities will reduce your car maintenance costs by offering a cheaper alternative to your car dealership's service center. According to NADA, dealership's service departments are responsibly for approximately 60% of revenues, meaning that a car dealership makes MORE money by working on your car than they do selling it to you in the first place. This certainly doesn't happen because they provide the fairest price. The exception here is if your vehicle is still covered under a warranty, or is subject to a recall, in which case your dealership service center will be the logical, and frugal choice.
4) Don't use premium gas if your car doesn't require it - We've been conditioned from birth to believe that more is better, which is why they invented the food court in the mall. But when it comes to the gas you put in your car, more, or higher, doesn't mean better. Using a high-octane gas in a vehicle that doesn't require it will only help you drive to the poor-house faster. I should say, it won't help you drive anywhere faster, it is simply throwing money out the window. Your vehicle owners manual will indicate whether or not you need to use high octane gasoline, otherwise, you should simply use regular octane. The only exception to this rule is if you have engine 'knock' or 'ping,' which should only happen to a small percentage of cars.
5) Get an OBD code reader - Another interesting way to reduce your car maintenance cost is to buy an OBD code-reader, which stands for On-board diagnostic code reader. These devices are available in various forms, either as one unit, or as a phone app that connects to a "dongle" through your phone's Wi-Fi. In any form, the OBD code-reader allows the user to read the car's diagnostic trouble codes, or problems that the vehicle's sensors have detected. They can also provide real time data that references vehicle performance, including emissions and tracking usage statistics. OBD code readers can save money on car maintenance costs by cutting out the need to visit a mechanic every time there is an issue. They also allow the user to be more informed when getting services, which can frequently be a big money-saver.
MechanicAdvisor.com is one of the largest online mechanic resources in the US. We are the premier website for consumers to research and connect with reputable local mechanics for routine and specialty automotive repair. Our website features instructional videos, articles about maintaining your car, and detailed profiles of over 500,000 mechanics across the country. If you're a shop owner, please claim your shop page for free here.
