There’s no doubt that the set of wheels sat proudly on your drive is your pride and joy. You love nothing more than getting behind the wheel of your vehicle to enjoy the thrill of the ride, experience the horsepower it possesses and test out its handling capabilities. At the same time, you know how expensive cars can be. Insurance can be astronomical, and tax appears to be increasing each year. This is why you need to save money where you can, in particular on maintenance. While you shouldn’t be cutting corners, there are ways you can save some of your hard-earned cash when taking care of your vehicle.
Servicing
If you’re looking at achieving the optimum resale value for your vehicle, it’s vital that it has a full-service history. Don’t be tempted to skip a service or go for the bare minimum filter and oil change. Stick to the schedule that came with your car’s documentation. A service can be an expensive business which is why it’s a good idea to take your car to a local auto repair center rather than to a branded dealership. Not only will it be cheaper, but you also have the chance to build a positive relationship with a smaller firm. They’ll spend more time talking to you about your vehicle and will answer any questions that you might have. Ensuring your car is serviced means it will hold its value.
Fuel Costs
You don’t need to just forego the premium gasoline to save money on fuel. The more expensive gas provides very little, if any benefit, to most cars on the road today. This fuel is mainly for the high-performance supercar market. You can also ensure you get more bang for your buck by fitting your car with the most appropriate tires and ensuring air filters are cleaned or replaced regularly. It’s surprising just how much extra fuel is needed if you put a pair of super wide beast tires on your vehicle.
The tires recommended in the manual for your car will be the most fuel efficient. At the same time, you need to make sure that they are properly aligned and balanced. If not, the tread will wear thin much quicker leading to you having to replace them more regularly than you ought to. Try and purchase the best tire your budget will stretch to. A budget tire may last a year, while a premium brand may last three.
Liquids
It is easy to do the most basic maintenance checks yourself every week at home. Check your oil levels, radiator, and power steering fluid. By allowing one of these to run dry, you are risking a major fault with your car. Having no oil can lead to a whole new engine being required. Simple maintenance checks that involve topping up a fluid every now and then can save you thousands in the long run.
Cars are expensive necessities in a modern age; however, you can ensure the highest resale value possible by maintaining your vehicle and saving money in the process.
