Most of us just take our cars to the mechanic & hope for the best, trusting them to know what our beloved vehicles need. However, your mechanic may not tell you everything about your car. These things could really make a difference in how you maintain your car—and how much you spend on it. Here are eleven pieces of insider info that could make your next trip to the mechanic a whole lot more interesting.
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Aftermarket Parts Can Be Just as Good as OEM Parts
When you’re at the shop, your mechanic will likely suggest using original parts straight from the manufacturer. However, aftermarket parts are often just as good and they’re not too expensive. The trick is to go for reputable brands. Doing so could save you a lot of cash—and without cutting corners on quality.
Your Oil Change Schedule May Be More Flexible Than You Think
The golden rule of oil changes every 3,000 miles doesn’t necessarily apply anymore. Thanks to better engine designs & higher-quality oil, many cars will roll on for 5,000 to 7,500 miles before you have to change their oil. Of course, you should always check your car’s manual for the final word.
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Tire Pressure Impacts Fuel Efficiency
It’s easy to forget about your tires and some mechanics always suggest getting a whole new set. However, keeping them properly inflated may be what you need. It helps your car run more efficiently and driving on tires that are too soft can cause your car to use more gas. Keep them pumped to the right level!
A Dirty Air Filter Affects Performance
If your car’s been feeling a bit sluggish, despite what your mechanic may tell you, the culprit might be a dirty air filter. Rather than keeping bugs & dust out, a clean filter lets your engine breathe easy. This will improve your vehicle’s performance and fuel economy. Make sure you swap out any grimy filter as soon as you can—it’s a quick & cheap fix.
Brake Pads Often Have More Life Than You’re Told
Sometimes, you might feel like you’re changing your brake pads a little too often. While it’s important to have reliable brakes, sometimes those pads have more life in them than your mechanic might lead you to believe. You should ask for the specifics on their thickness next time so that you’re only swapping them out when it’s time.
Check Engine Lights Aren’t Always a Sign of a Major Problem
Seeing that check engine light will likely send you into a panic—but hold up before you start imagining the worst. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a loose gas cap so twist the cap before you rush to the mechanic. If the light stays on, then it’s time to get it checked out. If the light turns off, congratulations—you saved yourself a trip & some cash!
Flushing Fluids Isn’t Always Necessary
Mechanics love to talk about flushing fluids. However, not every car needs its fluids flushed as often as they say—check what your car’s manual says instead. It’ll let you know exactly when your vehicle needs those flushes so you can avoid doing unnecessary procedures. Don’t waste your money.
Lifetime Parts Warranties Don’t Always Save Money
There’s always a catch—even with lifetime warranties on parts. These warranties often only cover the part itself instead of the labor to install it, which can be the real cost. It might be better to buy a part with a shorter warranty but lower overall cost, including labor. It’s often cheaper overall.
Your Car’s Alignment Should Be Checked Regularly
Regularly getting your car’s alignment checked can prevent uneven tire wear and keep your car driving straight & true. Your mechanic might not tell you this until it becomes an issue. However, you should have the alignment checked periodically. This way, you’ll save money on fuel and avoid putting extra stress on your vehicle.
Not All Services Need to Be Done by a Dealer to Maintain Your Warranty
Some people think you have to go to the dealership for all your service needs to keep your warranty valid. Not true. As long as you do the maintenance on schedule & you keep records, you can shop around for the best deal while maintaining your warranty. Independent shops often have better deals and may even include services that dealerships won’t.
Diagnostics Can Be Done for Free
Did you know many auto parts stores will do a basic diagnostic for free? They’ll read the codes & tell you what’s up so you know what to tell the mechanic. It’ll stop you from paying a lot for diagnostics and give you the knowledge to make more informed decisions about your car’s care. It’s always nice to walk into a mechanic’s shop knowing what your car needs!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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