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8 Ways To Reduce Your Next Car Repair Bill

It happens to all of us at one point or another, you’re faced with the unfortunate circumstances of a car repair. 

Repairs can be a bit unsettling to vehicle owners because of the costs involved, however, certain ailments are unavoidable. After all, vehicles are machines and machines break down. You can control the costs of pricey repairs down the road by planning ahead with regular maintenance to maintain your vehicle. How to reduce your car repair bill

How To Reduce Your Next Car Bill

1. Use the correct oil for your vehicle

Vehicle manufacturers perform all sorts of tests and research in developing cars, trucks, and SUVs. When they designed your vehicle, they determined the best type of oil for your engine and its components. Using the correct oil will protect your engine from premature damage, sludge buildup, and overheating. 

2. Change your oil consistently

Routine oil changes are quite possibly the determining factor on whether your vehicle will survive the long haul—or not, especially the engine. Clean, fresh oil is essential to your engine’s operation. Lack of oil or dirty, spent oil is unable to protect components and may cause the engine and gaskets to overheat.

Oil and filter changes are recommended often because dirty oil causes buildup, or oil sludge, causing blockages that may destroy your engine. Though your vehicle’s owner’s manual may indicate oil change intervals as seldom as every 10,000 miles, it doesn’t mean you should wait that long. Arizona, with its hot, dusty environment is considered a severe climate and oil changes should be performed every 3,000 miles for conventional oil and every 5,000 for synthetic oils. 

3. Develop good driving habits

Some cars and trucks are designed to be rough and tough, however, most cars are not. Most passenger vehicles these days are not designed to drive like race cars and punching the gas, hard braking, fast turns, and excessive speeds take their toll on vehicles.

By driving aggressively, you’re placing unnecessary stress on the engine, brakes, tires, and other components which results in premature wear and often avoidable, costly repairs.

4. Get in tune with your car

If your idea of maintenance is only changing your oil every 3,000 miles, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when you start having other issues. The average car has about 30,000 parts and mechanisms that work together to keep you moving. While changing your oil often is a noble act, one of the most overlooked, but necessary, preventative maintenance measures includes replacing the fuel filter, spark plugs, belts, hoses, and fluid changes.

By replacing these components and having vital fluids flushed at their recommended intervals, your vehicle’s performance will improve, and you’ll protect your vehicle from severe damage. Your car maintenance bill will cost significantly less than expensive repairs to your engine or transmission.

5. Check tire pressure

Your vehicle’s tire health can impact the quality of your ride as well as your safety. Neglecting your tires can cause all sorts of problems from reducing fuel efficiency to causing alignment and suspension troubles. Check the pressure of your tires often and adjust as necessary. Replace tires with bulges, cracks, or uneven tread wear.

6. Change your filters

The engine needs air to mix with the fuel for combustion, which means air is being drawn into the engine area from outside complete with dirt, dust, and other particulates that are the engine’s worst enemy. Air filters trap unwanted particles from entering the engine, but over time, they become clogged and trap everything including the air that is needed to enter the engine.

Replace your air filters every 15,000 miles, which cost far less than a new engine, if you opt not to replace them.

7. Consider purchasing a vehicle with lower maintenance costs

Research costs of ownership with each brand of vehicle you’re considering purchasing. Luxury import vehicles, for example, are the most expensive to repair while certain Asian brands cost less to maintain and repair. Domestic vehicles fall somewhere in between.

It’s also important to consider how much car care costs with age. Brands with a more reliable reputation are less likely to cost you as opposed to others with a higher incidence of repairs.

8. Make Sun Devil Auto your partner in auto maintenance

Did you know that even if your vehicle is under the Manufacturer’s warranty, you can use any auto service center to perform routine maintenance? Car owners may not be aware that they are not required to have service performed at the dealership, which can be costly. Though the manufacturer is where you should seek help for recalls or repairs covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, it is completely acceptable to utilize an auto repair and maintenance center to perform all maintenance and extended warranty repairs.

You can save even more money by visiting the alternative to the dealership, Sun Devil Auto. Sun Devil Auto utilizes the same state-of-the-art equipment, OEM parts, and certified technicians as the dealership at a competitive price! We know that repairs can be costly which is why we have special offers to save you money as well as options to help ease the financial burden with auto repair financing and other payment options. Repairs are sometimes inevitable, save on your next repair bill by choosing Sun Devil Auto.

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