Proper car maintenance can save you money
Want your car to last forever? You’re probably out of luck until the 2060 models come out. But until then you can attend to the details that will help your auto over the long run. Who doesn’t want their car to last an extra year or two?
Loading ...This Kiplinger quiz highlights 10 steps you can take to keep your car running smoothly. Some of the answers you’ll probably know, like the answer to “Which U.S. coin do you use to check your tire treads?” But some information might surprise you — so go ahead and take it.
If you’re looking for a deal on your maintenance, don’t forget to check the Kudzu automotive page and Valpak’s auto tab for deals in your area, as well as the website of your normal repair shop.
Have you ever maintained a vehicle that seemed to have nine lives? What did you do to take care of it?
– By Lauren Davidson, Atlanta Bargain Hunter
See a great deal I should know about? Email me at ldavidson@ajc.com. You can also follow me on Facebook or on Twitter @atlbargains.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6 comments Add your comment
Tweets that mention Proper car maintenance can save you money | Atlanta Bargain Hunter -- Topsy.com
February 18th, 2011
9:07 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Atlanta Real Time and Cherokee County News, Jason Coffey. Jason Coffey said: RT @atlbargains: Proper car maintenance can save you money http://bit.ly/f7RLBi [...]
reader
February 18th, 2011
11:27 am
When is the Home Depot Spring Black Friday?
Ted Striker
February 18th, 2011
12:34 pm
Excellent column, Lauren. Subscribed to Kiplinger for 7-8 years…is a quality mag.
Maintenance is absolutely vital to providing the extra years you are talking about with a vehicle. My approach to “who does the maintenance” varies. Here’s why. I presently have 2 vehicles (the garage only fits two), both very different.
First car is a ‘67 Impala. 57,000 miles, mint condition. Was my grandfather’s. I’m not a gearhead by any stretch however I’m comfortable doing whatever basic maintenance the Impala needs. Is a clean and simple design…simple yet exceptionally reliable tech.
Then, there’s the everyday ride. Jaguar S-Type. Fantastic car. Smooth ride, perfect handling, exceptional engineering. However when it comes to who does the maintenance, the Jaguar goes to Hennessy for everything scheduled. No reason to go elsewhere because it’s it’s all paid for, maintenance included. Has never cost me a penny, even for an oil change. Plus they offer pick up and delivery and a loaner if needed.
Chris
February 18th, 2011
1:47 pm
You forgot to mention http://www.repairpal.com, which helps people keep mechanics honest by providing cost estimates online for most common repairs on all car models
Kat
February 18th, 2011
1:49 pm
Thanks, Chris!
Ole Guy
February 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
In terms of saving money, good maintenance is a must. However, of at least, equal importance is (in aviation parlance) “technique”. Watching cars race to a traffic light, having just turned red, is one of the greatest causes of (to put it politely) inefficiency. Racing down hill, only to stand on the brakes at the curve at hill’s bottom, is another faux pas (French for “ya’ll ought not to do this”).
Each and every day, we probably observe (and possible commit) some pretty stupid maneuvering which only spells one, two, or all three of these: wasted fuel, premature wear on car components, and, of course, that pesky thing called SAFETY.
Just as with many things in our daily lives, we drive cars in the complete absence of discipline. Until that little issue comes under control, I doubt maintenance in itself, which represents a form of discipline, will really mean much.