Tune-ups and maintenance jobs are usually less expensive than paying a mechanic to fix your car. Minor upkeep is also good for getting the most life out of your vehicle’s parts. No one wants to buy a battery, doohickey or thing-a-ma-jig because the old one wore out too soon and left you stranded. Or worse, with a major car repair.
1. Check your spare tire.
It’s just as important to keep the reserve tire inflated as it is the four tires under your car. The last thing you want is to discover that your spare is flat while you’re pulling the jack out of your trunk. That’s when you’ll need to call a tow truck—which can run you hundreds of dollars when you add up towing, mileage and any winch fees. It’s better to spend a dollar at an air pump to inflate your spare. That can spare you the cost of a tow.
2. Change the oil.
How much can your car’s oil affect your budget? Bankrate reports that oil problems are potentially the most costly car maintenance issue. Most automobiles need oil changes every 5,000 miles or so depending on the car and the type of oil. It’s better to spend as little as $20 to get the oil changed than to put it off and risk wearing out your engine—which costs a lot more than $20 to replace.
3. Keep the battery clean.
Corrosion (which looks like white or bluish powder) can form on the terminals of your battery. If you don’t keep them clean, the battery could develop a crack or not function properly, which could leave you stranded. Since a quality car battery can cost upwards of $100—and a tow can run you even more—it’s money well spent to buy a $5 wire brush and keep the terminals looking spiffy.
Read more: 4 Car Maintenance Tips That Can Prevent Major Repair Costs
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