How to Budget for Car Repairs

Ask any automobile owner what constitutes the bulk of their financial emergency concerns and they will undoubtedly mention their vehicle. Cars, for all of the utility they provide, have an unfortunate habit of breaking down at inconvenient times. The best way to fight this problem is through routine maintenance and smart budgeting. Let’s take a look at a few items to consider when creating an automobile emergency fund.

Automotive maintenance is the ‘apple a day’ that keeps the mechanic at bay. Ensuring your vehicle makes it into the shop for its regular checkups helps to keep systems running at peak efficiency and reduced wear and tear. 

Oil Change

Changing out the engine oil is one of the simplest and most productive things that you can do to extend the life of the vehicle. Changing oil is so simple that it can be done at home, although it is perfectly reasonable to have a professional make the change for you. 

Tire Replacement

Tires wear down over time and become less reliable. The speed with which this process occurs varies depending on roads and weather conditions, as well as your particular driving habits. Nonetheless, regular tire care is something that your automotive shop can help you schedule and maintain. 

Brake Maintenance

Brakes are critical to safe driving and it is important to ensure they are adequately maintained. The most common actions for brakes are pad replacements and flushes. Pad replacement swaps out the part of the brake that takes the brunt of the force when you stop, ensuring that force doesn’t wear down more critical components. Ensuring that these pieces are kept fresh and functioning will go a long way towards preventing more costly brake repairs.

Wheel Alignment

Your vehicle rests on four wheels that should be working in sync to keep your vehicle moving in a unified direction. The ability of the wheels to do this is important for maintaining proper stability and ensuring wear and tear is distributed appropriately. However, your wheels will slowly move out of their proper positions over time, placing undue strain on a variety of components. Having an alignment performed periodically will ensure your wheels are working together in unison. Doing this on a regular basis not only prevents larger issues from forming, but can improve overall performance and efficiency.

Heating and Cooling

Your vehicles AC and Heating systems, while not necessarily critical to its operation, can start to feel critical to your own operation when the weather turns harsh. Whether it is a hot summer day or a cold winter night, the ability to properly control the temperature inside your own vehicle is paramount to your personal comfort. You can safeguard these systems by having them routinely inspected by a qualified mechanic. Occasional tweaks or coolant refills can extend the life of the system and ensure its optimal performance, which is something you will definitely feel in the long run.

Using the information provided above, it should be possible to determine the costs for these various expenses and work them into a larger household budget. By accounting for these routine items and also saving for larger unforeseen circumstances, you should be able to safeguard your finances and provide a little peace of mind.

Car Care Connection is an auto repair facility located in Sarasota. If you have any questions about car maintenance or car care in general, we encourage you to contact us at 941-924-6199. We would be happy to assist you