Cars may be necessary for many, but they can also be a constant drain on your wallet if you’re not careful. If you need to take your car in for some kind of service, make sure you’re armed with the tips you need to save as much as possible!
Take Advantage of Free Help
There are actually quite a few services that your local auto part store provides for free. If the check engine light comes on, you can figure out the reason why for free. You can also head in to get a free battery check to make sure it’s in good condition. And if you need to borrow a tool for a DIY project, you may be able to borrow one for free.
Use Promo Codes
Places like Valvoline and Meineke feature coupons all the time. So if you know you need to bring your car in for some work, or even just to get an oil change, make sure you first do a search for printable coupons.
Check Recalls and Your Warranty
When there’s a problem with your car and you need to take it in for service, make sure to check to see if the problem is covered under warranty or if there were any recalls for your car’s make and model. You don’t want to pay for something when someone else should actually be taking care of the bill.
Don’t Procrastinate
You might be dragging your feet when it’s time to take your car in for work, but don’t drag too slowly. Small car repairs can easily turn into big, expensive car repairs if you don’t take care of the problem in a timely fashion.
Check the Estimate
If you want to make sure you’re getting a fair estimate from your mechanic, just head over to Repair Pal’s free RepairPrice Estimator. This will tell you about what you should be paying for any given repair job.
Save Your Receipts
A lot of parts and repairs are often under warranty, so make sure to keep copies of your receipts when you get work done. That way, you’ll have the proper documentation needed if you ever need to file a claim.
Stay On Top of Regular Maintenance
To make sure your car stays in good, lasting condition, you’ll want to make sure it goes in for regular checkups. Make sure to stay up to date with what your car needs by reading your car’s owner’s manual. Taking proper care of your car will help you to avoid costly repairs in the future.
Thanks to Frugal Living for some great tips!