The maintenance on your car can cost you a bundle of you can save a bundle, depending on how you accomplish it. When you use a dealer for things like a basic oil change then you’re probably wasting a batch of money that you don’t need to be spending
Look around and see the advertisements that exist all over that offer specials on oil changes and take advantage of one but do keep your eyes open and watch what’s happening when you take the car in for maintenance. It might be a good idea to stay with your car the first time out, or to inconspicuously mark your oil filter to be sure that someone DID in fact change it rather than leave the old one in place.
Don’t have a dealer or mechanic change your wiper blades for you. Change small things like your windshield wiper blades yourself as well as the simple tasks like an air filter. Even if you’re the most unhandy person in the entire world those two things are something you can do in five minutes or less. The cost is low and you can buy them at any discount store or auto parts store for about half what the cost will be at your dealership or auto mechanics shop.
One thing that may cost you serious money is using any mechanic without checking them out. Horror stories are born this way. In North America, check for ASE mechanics to take your car to. This is a seal of approval that is issued by the Automotive Service Excellence.
If you can’t find an ASE shop then seek out one that is well kept, relatively clean and looks like its been well maintained. Find a mechanic and ask him questions. If he or she doesn’t want to answer, leave.
Get a written estimate and get it in writing that anything extra which is done must be pre-approved or will not be paid for. Estimates by law must include a provision that says no extra work will be done without your approval.
BEFORE YOU PAY, always test drive your car to assure the vehicle’s problem has been fixed.
Pay your mechanic with a credit card. Usually when shops do not accept credit cards it tends to be because they know that a dispute can be filed. Most reputable mechanics will accept your credit card for payment and if they do not, then its time to find a new one. Ask prior to taking your car there what type of payment they expect.
Tags: car maintenance costs, finding a good car mechanic, saving money on car maintenance