Nationwide Vehicle Contracts show you how to save money on your car maintenance.
Unexpected maintenance costs are a pain in any motorist's backside. Depending on the issue, you could be left to fork out a hefty amount of money to fix your car, which is never ideal.
However, a lot of common maintenance issues can be prevented, saving you a lot of money, time, and effort.
In this blog, car leasing experts Nationwide Vehicle Contracts advise how to save money on car maintenance.
Use the correct oil and change it regularly
Engine oil is crucial to your engine running smoothly and is one of the easiest ways to save money on car maintenance. Changing your oil takes no longer than five minutes and could save you around £80 when taking your car for a service.
If you're unsure what oil to use, your car's handbook will list the oil suitable for your vehicle. It's recommended that you change your oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. For more information, check out the AA for a step-by-step guide on how to change your oil.
Keep your tyres inflated
Tyres are one of the most common maintenance issues motorists will have, and many of the problems can be traced back to the amount of pressure in the tyres.
Keeping your tyres inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure will ensure that your tyres last longer and keep you safe.
You can inflate your tyres at most petrol stations across the UK, costing as little as 10 or 20p a minute. This will decrease the chances of needing to go to a garage, which could cost around £30 for tyre repair or upwards of £50 for a new tyre (prices varying depending on the tyre).
Rotate your tyres
Tyre rotation is when you change the position of the tyres on your car, swapping the front and rear tyres. You should do this because your front tyres often wear out quicker than the ones at the back.
Changing them frequently helps extend the lifespan of your tyres and saves you from having to fork out money for a new set.
Replace your fuel filter
A fuel filter blocks any impurities and contaminants in your fuel tank before they enter and damage the engine. You should replace your fuel filter between every 20,000 and 150,000 miles.
Taking your car to a garage to replace the filter could prove costly, and it's estimated that it costs, on average, up to £170. To do it yourself, the parts would cost you between £10 and £65, saving you a lot of money.
As always, ensure you've researched how to replace your fuel filter and refer to your vehicle's handbook if you have any questions.
Halford's provide affordable fuel filters.
Place your air filter
Your air filter needs more care than your fuel filter, needing to be replaced every 12,000 and 15,000 miles. The air filter serves the same purpose as the fuel filter but stops unwanted particles in the air from entering and damaging the engine.
Taking your car to a garage to replace your air filter costs, on average, £60 in the UK, whereas the part itself costs around £25. Ensure you know what you're doing, and refer to your vehicle's handbook if you have any queries.
Shops such as Halford's stock most kinds of air filters.
Keep your car clean
As well as making your car look better, regularly cleaning the interior and exterior of your vehicle will save you money in the long term. If you neglect your car for too long, rust may start to appear on the exterior, or the inside might begin to smell.
This would prove expensive to fix, especially for car rust repair, which could set up back up to £200 depending on the size of the treatment. To prevent this, take your car to a car wash a couple of times a month and occasionally clean the interior with a vacuum cleaner and some wipes.
Don't wait to get an issue fixed
This one might sound obvious, but ensure you're not delaying getting an issue fixed. We all run hectic lives, but putting off getting a problem fixed will only lead to greater maintenance costs.
If you spot a warning light on your car, immediately address the problem.
If you want to take the stress out of car maintenance, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts offer a comprehensive maintenance package for a fixed monthly fee which includes all servicing, replacement tyres, MOT, and other repair costs.
What do you make of our list? We also produce regular blogs on a range of topics, from Ways to Save Money On Car Insurance While Leasing to Ten Ways To Save Money On Fuel.
