**Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored post which also contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I get a teeny-tiny percentage at no cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Your vehicle is the second largest purchase that you will make in your lifetime, with your home being the first. Also, your second largest household expense is the cost of doing repairs and maintenance to your car, with household expenses being first. As a vehicle owner, you know that automotive costs are never-ending. However, the good news is that there are some ways you can save money on your automobile repairs.
Do your own preventive maintenance – There are some car maintenance tasks that you don’t need to pay a mechanic to do. There are some things that you can do yourself, that don’t take much time and will save you money on repairs. Tasks like checking fluid levels (oil, transmission, antifreeze, windshield washer), changing the engine oil, replacing air filters and replacing fuel filters, can be done right in your driveway at home. Even more advanced tasks like changing the brakes and rotors, can be done with a little know-how.
Know what the average car repair charges are – If you find that you do need an auto repair shop for your vehicle, you want to know what the normal repair charges are for your area. There is an online site that can help you with this task. RepairPal.com. RepairPal.com will tell you repair costs for everything from catalytic converter replacement to water pump replacement, for your car’s make and model and the area you reside in.
Find a reliable auto body repair shop – The first people you want to ask when searching for an auto body shop are friends and family, since these are the people you trust the most. If you don’t have any luck this way, go online and check out sites like Yelp.com, to find reviews for auto body shops in your area.
Buy your own diagnostics code reader – Most modern cars have what is called On-Board Diagnostics built-in. By buying your own diagnostics code reader, you can figure out your car’s problems when they occur. When a light appears on your car’s dashboard, it usually has a code with it. A code reader scans that code and tell you exactly what the problem is. You can purchase these are most major auto parts stores as well as online at places like Amazon.
Northwest Dodge Houston can help you with these repairs if you don’t have time to do them yourself, though!
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