The ManicaPost
Getting your vehicle repaired is a drag.
In addition to being time consuming and expensive, there’s also the threat of the unknown.
Is your mechanic taking advantage of you?
Do you actually need a new oil and filter change, or are they trying to increase their bottom line?
It’s hard to know if your repair shop is honest if you don’t understand what they’re talking about.
The more you know, the less likely you are to have your piston return spring replaced or your weebo disc adjusted.
Seriously, unnecessary repairs sometimes happen, but that doesn’t mean when your mechanic says, “While we’re at it, we should also replace the . . . ” that they are trying to scam you.
Sometimes you need to spend a little now to avoid spending a lot more later.
The best way to handle repairs is through regular maintenance.
If you read your vehicle’s maintenance schedule you will notice certain items being checked at certain intervals.
The manufacturer isn’t guessing here.
They have researched these things through years of testing, auto warranty analysis, dealer networks and customer feedback.
They want these components and adjustments checked at specific intervals for a reason.
Which is why you should always budget for maintenance when you purchase any vehicle.
All of that being said, here are some repairs to be prepared for, and possible ways to prevent them.
Remember, a lot of the most expensive repairs can be put off or avoided completely with proper maintenance.
Oil and filter change
Change your oil and filter, on time, every time!
This maintenance step is cheap compared to the consequences.
You can get an oil and filter change for around $40.
If you ignore this step, it will lead to the most expensive car repair of all, replacing the engine.
Engine oil and all of the fluids in your vehicle are consumables you will need to change or top off for the life of the vehicle.
Staying on top of this is the cheapest way to keep your vehicle in top condition and avoiding a costly repair. Also, ignoring this easy step can possibly void your warranty.
Brakes
Your brake pads are also consumable, the harder you stop the more of the brake pad gets consumed.
Also the harder you slam on the brakes, the more heat you put into your rotors and drums, which can cause them to warp or wear out prematurely.
Replacing pads and shoes (including parts and labor) can be anywhere from $100-$300. If you have to replace rotors and drums that can get up towards $1000.
Here’s another example of not ignoring a problem.
Your mechanic tells you your car needs front brake pads and you choose to skip it and keep driving.
And then one day, you start to hear a scraping noise but you keep driving.
And then you start to feel a vibration when you hit the brakes and still hear the scraping noise but you keep driving.
And then suddenly your car doesn’t stop so well so you take it to the shop.
That lucky mechanic is going to have dollar signs in their eyes!
You have now ruined your calipers, rotors and obviously brake pads and it’s going to cost you over $1500.
Don’t ask how I know this.
I wasn’t always a mechanic.
Also a quick note on brake fluid.
If your mechanic or maintenance schedule says to flush it?
Flush it!
Your car’s ABS pump does not like brake fluid with dirt or high moisture content.
It will lock up, and that will be over a thousand dollars.
Transmission and driveline
This is one of those areas where regular maintenance can easily prevent expensive issues.
Your transmission and differentials are filled with oil.
Change it when the manufacturer recommends please!
The oil gets dirty over time and loses its viscosity.
The dirt particles in the oil wear out critical parts and clog filters, which causes oil flow problems.
Then one day you take off from a traffic light and your car will not shift out of first gear and bang, hundreds ofdollars.
So when your mechanic says it’s time for a transmission or differential service, do it!
Engine
The most expensive repair of all (aside from bodywork and paint, that’s expensive magic I don’t even understand) is replacing or rebuilding an engine.
As I said earlier, change your oil and filter!
Do it on time, every time.
You don’t want to deal with this one.
The can of worms that’s opened when an engine is replaced is big and expensive.
A good mechanic is going to inspect every part they remove in order to get to your engine and since the parts are coming out anyway, “We might as well put a new one in . . .”
If you have to replace your engine you will also need to replace: belts, hoses, all fluids and filters, water pump, spark plugs and anything else your neglected.
Expect to spend thousands of dollars and to probably never trust your car again.
Every little noise will sound like the end in your head.
Bottom line is, don’t ignore any problems you notice on your car as this might lead to bigger and more costly problems. – cartalk.com.
