Photo Credit: kozumel

If you live in an area with a good transportation system, be thankful. You’ve just saved some money. Owning, maintaining, and insuring a car can be expensive. Getting repairs done a car can add up very quickly. The average rate for labor is $50-$120/hour.

If you think you’re up to it, then doing some basic checks and repairs can save you alot of money and extend the life of your car. Here are some relatively easy things you can do to keep your car running smoothly.

• Check the tire pressure on all four tires and, if necessary, put air in them to the recommended amount in your owner’s manual.
• Check the fluid levels (oil, wash fluid ,transmission fluid, etc) in your car and adjust as needed. When I had a longer commute, this became even more important.
• Check, clean, and perhaps replace the air filter your car.
• Replace your windshield wipers if they are worn. This is a relatively easy task . I’d also apply some Rain-X while I’m doing that.

There are sites that have some instructions on doing basic auto repairs yourself. I’ve include a video to give an idea of what is available on the web.

If you doubt your abilities or want a professional to handle it, then by all means, look for a mechanic that you can trust. While we check our fluids and can replace our wipers, there are some things I’d want a mechanic to do. Since we moved, I’ll record the process we’re going through to find a local shop that is reliable and affordable. (Don’t laugh!)

What preventative work do you do to save you money? Any suggestions on finding a good mechanic?

Update: This post was included in the 8th  Edition of the Money Hack Carnival at Being Thrifty Like Us.

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