Devastating Budget Buster Or Timely Car Repair?

Even if you have excellent auto insurance, it is still a good idea to set aside a little bit of money every month for car repairs. Although damage can happen in the blink of an eye, often it’s just time, and regular wear and tear that takes its toll on your vehicle.

And having a small emergency fund is going to give you peace of mind knowing that you can handle those repairs without breaking the bank.

Flat Tire

Almost every driver will have to deal with at least a few flat tires over the years, but fixing that damage doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming. Depending on what caused the flat tire, a local tire shop might be able to patch the hole in a matter of minutes for just a few dollars. If the hole is on the sidewall or the result of structural damage, then your mechanic will most likely suggest that you replace the tire. Of course, tires do eventually wear out and need to be replaced so you should be planning ahead to fund that replacement.

Windshield Wipers

Another component that wears out and needs replacement is windshield wipers. In the old days, you could just buy the little rubber strip and slide it into your old wiper frame. This made replacing windshield wipers cheap and painless. Today wipers are much more expensive, and you need to replace the whole assembly (i.e. frame and blade), but the process is still very easy, and most auto parts stores will do it for you for free in a couple of minutes if you buy the wipers from them. In the following video, Scotty tells you what type of blades he recommends to get the best value for your money.

Cracked Windshield

This is another common car repair that the vast majority of car owners are going to run into at some point in their lives. For a crack that is only on one side of the windshield and smaller than a quarter, a repairman might be able to use an epoxy mixture that restores the appearance and integrity of the glass. When a larger chip or crack occurs, you should immediately contact a reputable company that offers affordable windshield replacement services.

Windshield replacement on modern cars with special embedded features (like the review mirror in the image) can be very expensive, i.e. over $1,000, so paying a few dollars more for glass coverage in your insurance policy can be a good idea.

Oil Changes

You should budget for regular oil (and filter) changes. If you take your car to a shop, it will usually cost $50 or more for an oil change. But, if you go to a discount store, you can usually get the oil and a new filter for about half of that. It isn’t difficult, so if you learn how to do the work yourself, you can save some money. But you still need to budget for these routine maintenance expenses.

Fluid Leaks

Fluid leaks are one of the most common reasons for car repair. All of the gaskets and hoses throughout your vehicle are going to expand and contract and deteriorate over time, and that can cause fluid leaks. When a fluid leak is caught early on, it can often be repaired with nothing more than a replacement hose or a new cap for one of the reservoirs. As soon as you notice any stains or liquids under your vehicle, you should immediately have the car serviced to prevent more expensive mechanical issues.

Car Battery

Automotive batteries used to require that you regularly added distilled water to the cells, but more recently, they’ve started making “sealed” batteries that don’t require maintenance. But modern batteries still only last a few years before they need replacing, and a new battery will generally cost more than $100, so that is one more item to add to your emergency fund. Once again, your local auto parts store will often install the battery for you if you buy it from them. (Although, there are a few models of vehicles that put the battery in difficult locations that require more than a local store can do curbside. In that case, you will have to take it to a place with a lift.)

Dents and Dings

Auto body damage is typically considered to be cosmetic, but scratches and dings could result in rusted metal and other major problems. As long as the body damage is relatively small, most people just consider it as regular wear and tear and don’t bother getting it fixed. If you want to, you can pick up a bottle of touch-up paint matched to your vehicle at the local auto parts store for a few bucks. For larger dents and extensive body damage, you should consider going through your insurance provider (if you have comprehensive coverage) to see if they will cover some or all of the repairs.

To keep your car warranty in effect, you need to follow the maintenance schedule listed in your owner’s manual. This includes oil changes, belt and hoses replacement etc. Scheduling regular maintenance with a reputable mechanic will reduce your risk of severe mechanical problems that cost thousands to repair.

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