In continuation of our series on avoiding car payments, I wanted to talk about some of the important things we have had to keep in mind as vehicle owners, particularly when owning slightly older vehicles that we’ve bought with cash. In this part, we will talk about the importance of vehicle maintenance. If you missed the first part of our series, you can catch up here.
It is easy to say “buy a cheap used car with cash” if you are in a financial place to do so. If you are a person with $5,000-10,000 in savings, you can find a very adequate vehicle to get around, and pretty easily. Since most stats say that more than half of Americans don’t have more than a month’s income in savings, you likely fall in the group that can’t afford to just buy a car with cash without some pretty intentional saving.
You are not alone, that’s exactly where we found ourselves when we started this process. All that means is that to be able to avoid debt to get a car, you’ll have to plan for it, and realistically that means making the car you have now(if you have one) last longer.
Cars do not last forever, but you can certainly prolong their lifetime. Staying on top of vehicle maintenance and carefully monitoring your vehicle’s condition lets you keep your car going longer and give you an idea of how long to expect it to survive. Often the cost of fixing minor issues helps you avoid having to pay for major ones down the road. Here are some things you should be doing to improve your car’s lifetime:
- Read the Manual – Just what you were hoping to hear right? It may not be engaging material, but your owner’s manual will tell you a lot of very important information, particularly where routine maintenance is concerned. Your manual will tell you what the manufacturer’s suggested timelines are for changing your belts, filters, and any fluids for your vehicle. It will also help you make sure you know the right kind of oil, gasoline, etc. to use in your vehicle.
- Oil Changes – It is always best to consult your manual to determine how often to change the oil in your vehicle. The general rule of thumb is every 3,000 miles, but that can vary widely by vehicle, which is why you need to read the manual! Changing your oil is not all that difficult, however, when pricing out the filter, oil, equipment to actually perform the oil change, and the time it takes, I decided that the additional $5-15 I spent to have it done professionally was well worth it.
- Check Fluids – This is something anyone operating a vehicle can do. Your power steering, coolant, oil, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid are all fairly easy to access in most cases. Your manual should help you locate them specifically as well as to determine the appropriate levels. If you are noticing a leak or find a fluid consistently low, there is likely an issue that needs investigating.
- Belt Replacement – Your manual should tell you what the recommended timeline is to replace your serpentine belt and timing belt. Based on that information, you will want to plan to have those inspected around that time. It is far better to catch a worn belt before it breaks, potentially stranding you and also causing additional damage.
- Battery – Make sure to check your battery regularly. You may need to clean off the terminals on occasion, because the white buildup that can appear on the contact points is corrosion and can cause disruption of the electrical connection. You can also have your battery tested at most auto parts stores or purchase a tester to use at home.
- Tire Maintenance – To make sure your tires wear evenly and your car drives smoothly, you want to make sure that you regularly have them rotated and balanced, as well as having your alignment checked. This kind of maintenance lengthens the lifetime of your tires while also keeping your vehicle running better.
- Changing Spark Plugs – Spark plugs that are covered in buildup or that are worn out will not work efficiently. They can add to your fuel consumption as well as eventually lead to your vehicle breaking down. Your manual will indicate how often they should be changed, but for most standard copper spark plugs, you will need to replace them every 30,000 miles.
Most of the items listed here are things you could do yourself. Whether you opt to do so or choose to have a mechanic perform those tasks is up to you, but if you lay out a list of these various maintenance tasks according to the schedule your manual lays out, you should be able to effectively write your budget to account for these items.
Not every expense on a vehicle can be accounted for, but most can be. If you budget properly, you can minimize those surprises and get the most out of your vehicle.