Saving Money on Car Maintenance
Have you ever taken your vehicle in for some routine maintenance only for the service advisor to provide you with a full list of things you should have done? I'm sure this has happened to many of you, and typically we're prone to think that they know what's best, and although you were getting a simple oil change that was under $100, you'll just go ahead and get all these recommended services now nearing the $400 mark.
Pump Your Brakes
Before you agree, find out exactly what is going to be done. If it's an urgent issue that needs immediate attention, by all means, use your best judgment, but if it is seemingly minor items or services you're unfamiliar with, it's best if you do some research.
Doing Your Research
- Ask the service advisor to explain each of the recommendations.
- Ask if the recommendations are from the manufacturer or the repair shop.
- Ask for a printout of the recommended services.
- Only get what you came in to get and then research the recommendations. You may learn that some things are simple and can be done at home. You can reschedule an appointment for any of the others you deem important and outside of your abilities.
Do It Yourself
After you pump your brakes, you may have learned that some of the recommendations were unnecessary, and others are some that you can very easily do on your own. One popular service recommendation that auto repair shops, especially service centers at dealerships, like to make is replacing the cabin air filter. Once you realize how easy this is for most vehicles, you'll never pay someone to do it again. You simply order the filter - even the parts department of the dealership will have it, and then replace it using the instructions provided or do a quick search on YouTube, and you are very likely to find a match. This is one service item usually recommended which can easily cost $50+ after service and parts, and you can replace it in less than 5 minutes for under $20.
Car Maintenance
I recently took my vehicle to have an oil change and wheel alignment, knowing it would be close to $200. This, I was ready for. When I got there, the service advisor added all these "recommendations," and my new total was closer to maybe $400, if not higher. I kindly asked him to remove everything I did not request and then waited for my car to finish. While waiting, I missed the call but got a text with a link to the inspection results - 35 Items passed, and 4 items required my "immediate attention." I read through the list of items and determined that none of them required my "immediate attention," and I was going to pass at those prices. I left spending what I planned on spending and with a list of items that needed my attention. 3 of 4 that I could easily do myself and for quite a bit less. That is the nice thing about getting the full inspection - often they're included, but even when they're not, it may be worth paying to have done just so you have a comprehensive list of work that needs to be done. You can go elsewhere if you so choose. Below I share details on one of the four items requiring "Immediate Attention."
My Latest Do-It-Yourself Car Care
One of the items that I was told needed my "Immediate Attention" was the BG Headlight Restore. I didn't really know what that meant, but I learned it was a service to clean cloudy headlights using this particular product by a particular company upon looking it up. I also learned that many companies sold similar products. My guess is they have a relationship with the company and uses their products, but the point was that it didn't have to cost over $100. Now, I will agree that my headlights needed some attention, but not sure if I would say immediate - oh well. I decided this would be a do-it-yourself project. I ordered a headlight cleaning product for about $36, watched a few videos, read the instructions, and spent about two hours on a Saturday night (hey, no judgment, it's a pandemic!) restoring the headlights for two vehicles. It was worth the trouble, in my opinion. I am quite pleased with the results. 2 vehicles, meaning 4 headlights done for less than 1/3 of the price for one car's headlights. This just goes to show that you do not always have to get what the service advisors recommend - sometimes they're looking out for you, but sometimes it's not about you at all, and it's more about getting you to agree to as many services as possible - even some you do not need (I have heard stories from mechanics, but that's for another post).
Managing Money Like a Boss means doing a little extra work/research sometimes to make sure you're always spending your money wisely. Calculate the opportunity cost and determine if it is worth it. Sometimes the time lost is worth the money saved; other times, that may not be true. You decide!