No one relishes being faced with automotive troubles. Not only do large-scale auto repairs stand to put your vehicle out of commission for a while, they generally aren’t easy on the old pocketbook, either. As such, there’s little wonder as to why so many of us become filled with dread every time our cars begin to exhibit problems. While it’s true that big-ticket vehicle repairs don’t come cheap, you needn’t break the bank every time your car finds itself in need of professional attention. Cost-conscious motorists looking for ways to take the financial sting out of car repairs can benefit from the following pointers.
Don’t Sleep on Small Problems
When a car starts exhibiting seemingly minor problems, some people’s first instinct is to ignore it. As long as the issue in question doesn’t present an immediate inconvenience, certain motorists adopt a “wait and see” approach, thereby allowing the problem to get worse. While an aversion to spending money is perfectly understandable, cheaping out on automotive maintenance can have a number of undesirable consequences. For starters, the longer you allow a problem to linger, the bigger that problem is likely to become – and the more fixing it is likely to cost. No one enjoys shelling out cash for auto repairs, but a willingness to spend a little bit in the short term can save you a bundle down the line. Furthermore, the more vigilant you are about having small problems addressed, the longer your car is likely to last.
Prioritize Preventative Maintenance
Every vehicle should be viewed as an investment. In fact, for many of us, our cars are the most expensive things we own. Given how expensive vehicles are and how much we depend on them, it behooves us to take proper care of them. This is where preventative maintenance comes into play. As the name suggests, preventative maintenance refers to maintenance practices that help prevent breakdowns and other forms of car trouble.
Most preventative maintenance regimens entail changing your oil and oil filter as often the manufacturer recommends, rotating your tires every six months (or 6,000 to 8,000 miles), balancing and aligning your wheels every six months (or 6,000 miles) and performing various other minor upkeep tasks. Although standard preventative maintenance measures cost a little bit of money, they’re affordable on virtually any budget, able to stave off big problems and conducive to extending the life of your vehicle. So, if you’re looking to keep your car up and running for the foreseeable future, make preventative maintenance a priority.
Read More: Are the dashboard warning lights blinking too often-What should you do?
Choose Dealerships That Stand by Their Merchandise
Automotive salespeople – and car dealerships in general – have gotten a bad rap in movies, TV shows and other popular media. Often portrayed as people who will say anything in order to make a sale, these individuals have no qualms about actively misleading customers if it means closing a deal. While some people in the industry may embody such a stereotype, this portrayal is not reflective of salespeople as a whole.
To help ensure that you give your business to the right dealership, peruse consumer feedback websites and keep an eye out for any negative feedback. Just remember that every dealership – and every business, for that matter – is bound to draw a negative review or two. However, if you quickly discover that negative reviews vastly outnumber positive ones, you may want to take your business elsewhere. Additionally, make sure that any dealership from which you purchase a vehicle stands by its merchandise and doesn’t stop caring about customer satisfaction the instant you drive off the lot. In fact, some dealerships even provide customers with limited-time warranties for pre-owned vehicles in order to ensure that people don’t get stuck with lemons. This means that if you experience an issue with your vehicle within the warranty’s time-frame, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to have it repaired free of charge at the dealership. Bay Area residents looking for a dependable dealership should get in touch with Putnam Cadillac near San Francisco.
Few things make motorists more anxious than problematic vehicles. Whenever a car starts acting up, many of us can’t help but wonder how large a dent the necessary repairs will put in our personal finances. Depending on the age of the vehicle and the scope of the problem, there may very well be no alternative to costly repairs. In many cases, however, saving money on automotive maintenance is easier than you may think.