Regular car maintenance and repairs are a standard part of car ownership, but few drivers look forward to the expense of a mechanic’s bill. Although you might not be able to dodge auto repair expenses, there are methods to reduce their cost. Knowing how to get low-cost automobile repairs without sacrificing quality or reliability can ensure your car stays on the road without breaking the bank.
What Makes Car Repairs So Expensive?
The Consumer Price Index estimates that the average cost of motor vehicle repairs has increased by 14.9% compared to last year. Many factors have driven up prices, such as advanced technology in our vehicles and lingering supply chain issues.
Most drivers are also keeping their vehicles for longer. According to a 2022 S&P Global Mobility study, on average, most vehicles on the road today are about 12 years old. This also affects repair costs; the older a car is, the more expensive it is to keep on the road.
Whether you bought a brand-new vehicle recently or are hanging on to an older model, the rising costs of car repairs affect all types of drivers.
Top Four Tips to Get Low-Cost Automobile Repairs Without Sacrificing Quality
Car repairs are a certainty, but expensive repair bills aren’t. Explore the tips below to avoid high automotive repair costs without compromising quality or reliability.
1. Give Your Vehicle Regular Maintenance
Maintaining your car is the most effective way to avoid costly car repairs. Following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and fluid change timeline is the best solution to limit damage to major parts. Without regular maintenance, your car may experience accelerated wear and tear, increasing repair costs.
To keep your car repair costs down, perform the following car maintenance tasks:
Change Your Oil Regularly
Every internal combustion engine requires quality motor oil for lubrication, ensuring it runs smoothly. If old oil remains inside your engine without replacement, it accumulates grit and contaminants, increasing friction on your engine parts. This can increase the risk of your engine seizing, potentially damaging, or breaking costly parts.
To avoid serious engine damage, change the manufacturer’s recommended brand and type of oil at the recommended intervals, typically every 3,000 miles (or up to 15,000 miles for high-performance lubricants).
A professional mechanic can help you find the right oil for your vehicle and perform a quick oil change. Regular oil changes with the right brand and type for your car will prolong your engine’s lifespan, keep it running efficiently, and reduce long-term wear and tear.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Good-quality tires in proper condition are crucial to keep your vehicle on the road. Checking that your tire pressure is at the correct level can ensure your vehicle is not only safe but can also maximize fuel efficiency and prevent wear on the suspension and steering column.
Improper tire pressure impacts your vehicle’s handling and increases the risk of costly repairs. If your tires are over-inflated, they risk wearing out unevenly and are more likely to pop due to road hazards.
Driving on under-inflated tires increases the risk of rim damage and causes heat to build up, wearing them out faster. Under-inflated tires also make your steering more sluggish, reducing your ability to avoid hazards and dangers on the road.
Don’t hesitate to visit a mechanic or a service center to have your tire pressure checked. They can help ensure your tires run at the correct pressure for their type and your driving habits.
Replace Worn Tires
In addition to checking tire pressure, ensure your tires are in good condition. Quality tires in good shape help keep you and others safe on the road, reducing the risk of accidents and costly damage to your vehicle.
Measuring your tire’s tread depth is the easiest way to check your tire condition. The depth of a tire’s treads is an essential indicator of its health and remaining lifespan. The more you drive, the more rubber the tire sheds, decreasing the tread depth.
If a tire’s tread depth falls below 2⁄32”, it no longer provides enough traction, affecting your vehicle’s handling and performance. For instance, it may increase your braking distances, worsen fuel efficiency, or make turning more difficult. In rainy or snowy conditions, insufficient tire tread can cause your car to slide or increase the risk of hydroplaning.
If your tires are too worn for safe driving, visit a trusted mechanic to replace them as soon as possible. They can help you select the correct replacement tires and preserve your car’s performance, ride comfort, and fuel economy.
Inspect Your Battery
Give the external casing of your battery a regular inspection at least once a month. Look for signs of corrosion on the terminals and other metal elements. Corroded batteries are less efficient, may become weaker, and increase the risk of electrical issues.
If not addressed in time, a corroded battery can stress your alternator, potentially causing it to fail and increasing the repair costs. Driving on a corroded battery can also cause other parts of your car’s electric system to malfunction, such as air conditioning, power windows, or the infotainment system.
If your car battery has minor corrosion, first disconnect it. Next, mix warm water and baking soda to create a cleaning solution. Dip a cloth or brush into this mixture and scrub the battery terminals to remove the corrosion.
If your battery is heavily corroded, visit a mechanic and replace it with the correct model for your vehicle.
Replace Your Air Filters Regularly
Combustion engines need the correct ratio of fuel and air to function correctly, and the cleaner the air, the more efficiently it will run. This is why your car comes equipped with air filters, allowing ambient air to travel to the engine so the combustion process can happen.
Over time, these air filters become dirty or clogged. It reduces the air reaching your engine, creating an imbalance in the fuel-air ratio in favor of fuel, also known as an engine running rich.
Engines running too rich burn the fuel less efficiently, decreasing fuel efficiency and stressing many expensive-to-repair parts. Examples include your catalytic converter, spark plugs, oxygen sensors, fuel delivery system, and, in the long term, your engine.
The most efficient way to prevent this is to inspect your air filters regularly and replace them when dirty or clogged.
2. Shop for Parts Designed to Work With Your Vehicle
If you need to fix critical car parts, you’ll likely have to order replacement parts and accessories. The automotive parts market offers drivers a wide range of different choices, including third-party manufacturers.
Although third-party car parts might potentially match or even surpass the performance of original factory parts, it’s advisable to avoid them when seeking cost-effective, high-quality repairs. The primary three reasons for this are:
- No guarantee of compatibility. Third-party car parts may not be manufactured using the same specifications as your automaker. They may only fit specific versions or trim levels for your car model.
- May not perform as expected. Third-party car parts come in various quality levels, from premium-grade performance parts to cheap and unreliable. Third-party parts may not operate correctly in your vehicle and affect its overall performance. Ask a mechanic to help you find OEM parts or recommend a trustworthy third-party manufacturer.
- May void the warranty. If your vehicle is still under warranty, installing third-party replacement parts may count as aftermarket modifications. Modifying your vehicle is one of the most common causes of voided warranties. Stick to OEM parts instead.
- Risks decreasing your car’s resale value. If your car is newer, replacing the original parts with third-party equivalents can lower its resale value. Third-party parts and modifications limit the pool of interested buyers, increasing your car’s depreciation rate. Using only OEM parts ensures your car stays all-original and preserves as much of its value as possible when selling or trading it in for another car.
3. Work With Trusted Mechanics
One of the safest ways to get quality auto repairs for a fair price is to let a trusted professional mechanic work on your vehicle. While you can perform minor repairs and maintenance tasks, major repairs should be left to experienced auto technicians. They can provide you with the following benefits:
- Automotive expertise. Trusted professional mechanics in the U.S. are typically certified by reputable bodies, such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). They might be recommended or approved by your car manufacturer, indicating that your automaker trusts your mechanic’s skills. These certifications offer quality assurance, ensuring you receive the best possible service.
- Up-to-date knowledge. Mechanics and service shops continuously educate and train themselves to work on the latest vehicles and technologies. They also stay on top of relevant automotive news and can inform you of recalls or safety advisories for your car. Their resources allow them to provide personalized service regardless of the age and history of your vehicle.
- Brand specialization. Many mechanics and service shops are trained to work on vehicles of a specific brand or group of closely related brands, such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram. If your vehicle was made by one of the brands your local mechanic specializes in, they have in-depth knowledge of your model and access to a large selection of OEM parts.
- Transparent pricing. Reputable mechanics offer free and detailed quotes on all their services, providing honest, clear pricing and no hidden fees. If your car needs specific repairs or servicing, ask for a complete breakdown of the required work and its costs. Trusted mechanics should be able to provide every detail and answer any questions you have.
4. Shop for Deals and Specials on Auto Parts and Services
Whether your vehicle needs a new part or servicing of a specific kind, you should always check whether any deals are available on the parts and services you’re looking for. Local trusted mechanics may offer rebates, coupons, and other special promotions, helping you save more without compromising on quality.
In addition to getting cost-effective repairs, shopping for deals and specials at trusted mechanics and service providers can provide you with many additional benefits:
- OEM parts for lower prices. Some service providers may have access to the OEM parts your car needs at a reduced price. In some cases, the car manufacturer may directly offer these specials at authorized dealerships and service shops. Taking advantage of these deals can save you even more money than usual.
- Service bundling. Some specials may bundle multiple services together. These bundles can provide your vehicle with the necessary repairs and extra maintenance for a lower price.
For example, a repair shop may bundle a tire replacement with tire rotation, wheel alignment, and tire balancing services, creating a comprehensive tire care package. Other examples include free maintenance tasks with repair services, such as tire pressure adjustments or oil changes, saving you money. Look for service bundles during seasonal periods, such as air conditioning packages or free antifreeze top-ups. - Discounts on specialized services. Service shops may have limited-time offers for more specialized repairs and services, such as transmission fluid changes or wheel alignments. They can help you take advantage of a service your car might need but may have put off due to their higher costs.
- Special discounts. Many reputable mechanics and repair shops offer additional discounts for military, veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders. If it applies to you, check whether your local mechanics offer military and first responder discounts to benefit from even lower prices.
Get Repairs and Servicing From Hometown’s Trusted Mechanics
Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is the premier destination for high-quality automotive repairs and servicing in Albion, MI. Whether you need quality OEM Mopar parts, maintenance services, or major auto repairs, our qualified technicians and mechanics can help.
While we are a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram dealership, our team is trained to work on all makes and models. We can assist you with maintenance and repair needs, from general check-ups and oil changes to complete engine and transmission replacements.
Contact us today to schedule a service and receive low-cost automobile repairs without sacrificing quality. We can also help you source high-quality OEM parts for your car, ensuring it runs reliably.
