Expenses for your car mostly eat up your savings. With these tips on how to save money on your car service, it’s possible not to ruin your budget.
Having a car is an important necessity for seniors in Australia. Aside from home, expenses for car service mostly eat up your savings. Although, it’s possible to own a car whilst not ruining your monthly household budget.
Car service apps
Finding a mechanic and getting around in a big city can be challenging. It shouldn’t be when you have one of those phone apps that help you to be economical. With your smartphone, here are some recommended car service apps:
- AutoGuru makes it convenient and as easy as possible to access a well-suited, high quality, local mechanic. It gives quotes and lets you book from an entire marketplace nationwide, 24/7.
- EButler serves as a digital Butler for anything you need to get done. It does all the hard work of researching, vetting, and adding professional quality service providers for more than 150 types of services available.
Car fix and maintenance
These money-saving tips will help you take notice if your car is about to break down on you. Prevent small repairs from getting worse and costing you more money and time on your car service down the line.
Windscreen and wipers
Chips or cracks in your windscreen can interfere with your view. You may be subject to water damage, airbags defect, and weakened vehicle structure if you don’t fix a damaged windscreen.
So you can be prepared, have a check with your local windscreen repairman or pick up some chip stickers before it gets worse. Do it asap to avoid replacing the whole windscreen.
Sunlight, extreme weather, dirt, and contaminants can deteriorate your wiper blades/refills over time. It’s time for replacements if you experience streaks, wiper judder, or smearing. Set and fix the wiper blades yourself. Some car accessory stores will replace them for you for free.
Tyres
Tyres should be free of defects and have at least a minimum 1.5 mm tread depth. Each tyre has at least four wear indicators — small triangles, pointing to bars moulded within the tread. Replace your tyres if the tread pattern is level with the wear indicator.
Make sure to check incorrect tyre/wheel inflation, alignment, and balance by:
- checking your tyre inflation when the tyres are cold
- checking tyre pressure prior to heading off on a long drive
- having a wheel alignment, which is recommended every 10,000 kilometres
- noticing when the vehicle pulls to one side when driving on an even surface
- having a wheel balance if you notice vibration through your steering wheel
- asking the tyre supplier (or check your car plate) for the recommended pressure for your tyres.
Lights
You’re susceptible to accidents if your brake, reverse, fog, or headlights are not working. It’s good practice to get someone else to walk around your car while you activate and check all of the lights.
Check your hazard lights and remember where they are located so you can flick them on quickly when necessary.
Fuel consumption and fluid leaks
You’ll realise you’re paying more at the pump, not because of higher fuel prices or mileage, but of fuel consumption. It could be gradual and be easily missed and undetected over time.
Some causes of higher fuel consumption are leaks, dirty fuel injectors, and low octane fuel. Keep an eye on the warning lights on your dash when certain fluids are too low. Your car may be leaking engine oil or another type of fluid if you notice a puddle or stain at your parking space.
Let your mechanic know if there’s a decline in your fuel economy for early detection and fix. You can increase fuel efficiency by:
- using higher octane fuel
- avoiding accelerating and braking heavily
- not driving on an almost empty tank.
For your car repair and maintenance needs, go to Vehicle Finance to learn how a reverse mortgage can be beneficial to you.
If you liked our “Save Money On Your Car Service” and find it informative, check this space for more articles and updates on equity releases and reverse mortgages.