Is Your Car Driving You Toward Financial Troubles?

It regularly occurs during the household budgeting process that many people overlook the importance of car care. In fact, many of us seem to actively avoid any knowledge of what goes on under the hood. But what about related statistics? Did you know that the average car in use in America is 9.2 years old?

Our cars are aging – and not always gracefully. However, according to the financial experts at our Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) agency, a little initiative in this area can pay off handsomely. Best of all, you need not be an auto mechanic to follow the preventive maintenance tips we’ve put together for you. Just follow our list to give your household budget a much-needed tune up!

• “An ounce of prevention.” Don’t ignore the preventive maintenance recommendations of your auto manufacturer. Small investments in these services (oil changes, tire rotations, etc.) now save you much higher fees later if a minor problem escalates into a major one.
• Have you checked the price of tires lately? Trust us: It’s in your best interest to prolong the life of your tires as much as possible. Regular rotations and balancing will help extend their usable life. As a bonus, proper inflation will even improve your gas mileage.
• Learn how to change a tire if necessary and keep a usable spare on hand (along with a jack and a lug wrench). After all, tow trucks aren’t cheap.
• Engines have a funny way of warning us when there’s a problem. They stall, sputter, make all manner of odd noises, and flash indicator lights on the dashboard. It’s sometimes tempting to ignore these things in hopes that whatever’s wrong will cure itself. But these are your engine’s way of asking for service. Respond sooner rather than later and you might find the cure relatively painless as compared with a major repair.
• Remember that changing your oil regularly extends the life of your engine more than anything else. Oil lubricates the moving parts, cools the moving parts, and prevents corrosion. It’s important to check oil levels regularly and change your oil according to the automaker’s specifications (usually every 3,000 to 7,500 miles).
• Don’t ignore the other important major systems in your car. Your brakes, transmission, power steering, and cooling system all require regular fluid changes for optimal health and longevity.
• Filters are important. When it’s time to change them, it’s worth the cost from a preventive maintenance standpoint.
• Air filters are a common up-sell at quick lube shops. However, they’re very easy to change in most cars. Check the price of one at an auto parts store and learn how to change it yourself to save a few dollars.
• If you notice damage or leaks to any hoses, have them replaced at once to avoid more costly problems.
• Belts wear out, too. Check them every so often for fraying and have them replaced when necessary. One broken belt can lead to a costly (and possibly unsafe) breakdown.
• Replace your wipers when they’re not working well and fill the wiper fluid when it’s low. If you can’t see properly, who knows what kind of costly accident could occur.
• As important as it is for you to see, it’s equally important that others can see you. Make sure all of your lights work!
• While you can save money doing most of the above items yourself, many people enjoy the speed and convenience of quick-lube shops. Keep an eye out for coupons and other service specials at these places. They often advertise in phone books, newspapers, and other sales flyers. A few minutes of leafing through these things could save you $5 or $10 per visit.
• For the cost of a bucket, sponges, rags, and car wax, you can keep your car’s finish clean and protected indefinitely. Car wash companies also often feature protective undercoating sprays that can help prevent damage from the elements.
• Befriend an auto mechanic if possible. If this isn’t possible, ask around to find a trustworthy, qualified professional. The Better Business Bureau can assist you in this, if necessary. A reputable technician will offer written or oral estimates in advance, requiring your approval prior to rendering service.
• Take time to learn a little about cars. If you currently “know nothing about cars,” then you’re completely at the mercy of repair and service shops. If you don’t want to learn about engines and car repair, think about getting a second opinion when a service estimate seems high. Often, pricing varies greatly from shop to shop.
• Of course, save all of your receipts. Keep them all together stacked by date so you can easily see what’s been done and what’s due.

The credit counselors at our Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) agency can help you steer clear of credit, debt management, and budgeting troubles. Take our advice, above, to save money over time. If you need further help taking charge of your personal finances, give us a call. That’s what we’re here for.