Saving money on car maintenance

March 31, 2011 12:00 AM

There are many ways to save money when it comes to maintaining a vehicle, according to MSN Autos.

Firstly, try using regular fuel instead of premium - most cars don't really need the extra fine stuff because they adjust easily thanks to better-equipped engine sensors.

Next: don't change the oil more than necessary. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations as written and avoid overdoing it. Yes, oil is one of the most important things in a car but changing it when it's not required just wastes money.

Get to know your local mechanic if there's one nearby and develop a relationship with them. By creating a level of trust between customer and the shop, car owners tend to save money because they're not paying a different rate every time they go somewhere new.

One of the biggest ways to save money, says the auto expects is to remember "you bought a car. You didn't marry the dealer." Dealers are reportedly more costly when it comes to repairs so don't be afraid to branch out.

Lastly, don't ignore the oil light - it probably has to do with oil levels, but if it's about the pressure, the engine might be damaged within minutes. "Pull over as soon as you safely can and turn off the engine," concludes MSN.  

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