Julia Anderson
Note: The following list was made to offer some food for thought so you can see where you might be spending unnecessarily. In the end, you’ll need to do your own research about car maintenance before deciding what work to get done.
Getting Oil Changes Every 3,000 Miles
How often do you get your oil changed? If you’re like many, you may do it every 3,000 miles because that’s what auto shops suggest. Why would they suggest such frequent oil changes? You guessed it – to make money.
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The truth is, cars and motor oil have become much more efficient over time. The 3,000-mile guideline is outdated, so you can get away with an oil change between 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Read your car’s owner’s manual for clarity.
Are there cases where you may need frequent oil changes at the 3,000-mile mark? Possibly, if you drive a lot in extreme temperatures or you do routine towing with heavy weight.
Choosing Synthetic Oil
In keeping with the oil change theme, you may not need to take the synthetic oil route. Such oil is expensive and often intended for high-performance cars. And if your vehicle is older, you probably won’t get much benefit from it.
Getting Regular Tune-Ups
An upsell many auto shops use is the routine tune-up. While these may have been necessary in the past with older vehicles, you don’t necessarily need them now.
Many cars are now equipped with onboard computers that continuously check for performance issues. If something comes up, the computer will let you know, making a tune-up obsolete.
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Taking Your Car To the Dealership
Do you bring your car to the dealership for every single issue you encounter? You may do so out of peace of mind or because you bought the car there, but unless it’s under warranty, you may be better served elsewhere.
Plenty of independent mechanics can offer quality work at a fraction of the price at a dealership. Try getting an estimate from an independent mechanic before going to the big boys. It could save you a ton of cash while still getting your car the level of attention it needs.
Buying an Extended Warranty
This may not be a type of maintenance, but it deals with the topic, so we’ll discuss it. Many car dealerships try to sell extended warranties because they carry a high profit. Unfortunately, they’re often more costly in the long run versus paying for repairs out of pocket. In short, you may not need it. Or that warranty may not cover enough to make it worth your while.
Your best bet is to use your car’s original warranty if it still has one. Over time, you’ll be able to see how dependable the car is and if it needs a lot of work done. Once the original warranty ends, you can decide if you want to get an extended one for added protection.
Eric Tomasso
