In the current economic climate, many of us are looking to save our pennies any way we can. When it comes to our vehicles however, this can be tough especially if you need to repair your car in some fashion. There are many ways however that you can save when working on your trusty motor. Let’s take a look at how you can save money on car parts.
One of the best ways to save is to shop for the best deals for car tires rather than jumping into buying the first part you see. Some of us may be considering buying used tires, but this can be potentially unsafe especially if they are worn.
Many tire manufacturers have money back offers which can potentially help you to save hundreds of dollars.
Also make sure you do not leave any maintenance too late. I’m sure we have all heard our breaks start to squeak and thought they still have a little life in them, but the truth is the longer you leave it the more expensive a job it could become.
One of the best ways to get the most out of your car parts is by treating your car well. The better you treat it, the longer you will get out of them thus receiving more value for money.
There are a number of ways you can do this. Let’s take a look at a few.
Drive Smoothly
Using mechanical sympathy when driving is one of the best ways to get the most out of your vehicle. Navigating your steering wheel, gearbox and your pedals smoothly will reduce the need for breaking suddenly and put less wear on your car.
Check and top up your fluids
You should check your oil once a fortnight by opening up the trunk of your car and removing the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick clean and then dip it in the oil before removing to check.
What you are looking for are the levels of the oil (between minimum and maximum), and the colour of the oil. It should be a yellowish-brown if you are driving a petrol car, but dark and dirty oil should be replaced.
You should also check your coolant and screen wash levels.
Check your tires
You should check your tire pressure once a month, with a passenger vehicle requiring a psi level between 36 and 45. Also check your tread depth. Most new cars come with 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths and the more you drive the more your tires will become worn.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when they reach 2/32”, and many states legally require tires to be replaced at this depth.
Try to avoid rough roads
This may be easier said than done but if you can avoid driving over potholes or rocky roads your car will love you. Potholes can damage your suspension, exhaust and of course your tires so try and take roads with smoother surfaces when possible.
Buying a new car whether you are a first-time driver or you have experience on the road can be a long process, and it should be. Take time to mull over the quality of the vehicle and you will be able to save money over time.
Cars with lower fuel consumption rates will reduce your running costs, saving you money on gas.
Also look to buy cars with lower tax. The rate will differ depending on your state, though Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon charge zero sales tax.
It may pay to go out of state to buy your vehicle if possible.
These are some of the ways you can save money on repairs for your car. Shopping for deals is one of the best ways to save, and always make sure you take time weighing up the pros and cons before you jump into the first purchase you see.
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