Yahoo Finance Auto Experts: Here Are 7 Things That Waste Money That We’d Never Do to Our Cars
For us average drivers out there on the road, we do not tend to think of what’s going on under the hood of our vehicle until something breaks and needs fixing or we feel like it’s time to soup up our ride with some new accoutrements. Some of these fancy upgrades are definitely worth the cost and the general tune-ups – -whether massive or minor — are usually necessary to get your wheels spinning again.
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But there are a few things you can do to your vehicle that are the equivalent of throwing your car right into the trash, according to those who know cars inside and out: mechanics.
Joyce Gutierrez, an automotive expert for 4WheelOnline, said regular maintenance and tune-ups involve “…inspecting and replacing worn-out parts, such as spark plugs, air filters and belts. Neglecting tune-ups can decrease fuel efficiency, reduce engine performance and increase emissions.”
GOBankingRates spoke with a few auto experts who shared some things they’d never do to their cars in order to not waste of money. Here’s what they had to say.
Not Scheduling Regular Oil Changes
You might check the little sticker in the top corner of your windshield to see when the last time it was that you got your car’s oil changed out (it could be in date or mileage). Then you might notice that the next oil change is coming up and simply not make an appointment because your car is running fine. However, skipping routine oil changes is invitation for disaster, according to James White, an auto repair expert with Amazing Moves.
“Oil is your car’s engine’s lifeblood, and without it, serious damage can be caused and related costly repairs required,” White said. “I’ve been a mechanic for too long to count, and dirty grease from infrequent oil changes is nothing new. You are right if you think this can easily halve the life expectancy of your vehicle.”
Lowering the Chassis
According to The Drive, “the type, size and shape of the chassis will vary from vehicle to vehicle and manufacturer to manufacturer, but the basics are roughly the same.”
That is, until you decide to start playing around with the levels of it and lower it closer to the ground. Lots of classic and muscle cars have this “low-rider” status, but it’s not one you actually want for your everyday vehicle.
“I would never lower my car,” said Ben Michael, the director of auto at Michael & Associates, who added that lowering your car can have a major negative impact on its resale value — and can lead to damage.
“It has a lot of effects on the car’s drivability. It can cause tires to wear unevenly, affect wheel alignment, impact handling, increase likelihood of underbody vehicle damage and more,” Michael said, highlighting how this modification alone can negatively impact the resale value.
“On top of that,” Michael said, “this type of modification is not desired by the vast majority of people, so the pool of potential buyers when reselling will be significantly slimmer.”
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Lack of Tire Upkeep
Not maintaining proper pressure and alignment on your vehicle’s tires isn’t just a mistake that will cost you later; it’s a miscalculation in judgment that could lead to disaster on the road.
“It’s still essential to regularly check tire pressure manually using an accurate tire gauge,” Gutierrez said. “Tire pressure should be checked when the tires are cold, as heat generated during driving can temporarily increase pressure readings.”
“If your tires are inflated properly, this allows their maximum surface area to contact the road, which can be effective in improving fuel economy and ensuring safety,” White said, highlighting that misaligned vehicles can result in uneven wear of the tires.
“Both of these simple checks will help you save in the long term,” White said.
Not Checking Fluid Levels
Fluids are often overlooked as necessary components for a car to run, yet, like oil, they are a lifeblood for your vehicle. If you aren’t taking the simple steps to check the levels and replace old fluids, you are needlessly spending money on problems that are easily fixable.
“It’s all from coolants to brake fluids, every fluid important for the smooth running of your car,” White said. “I have experienced firsthand bad cases due to the damage caused by an overheated engine or even brake failure because it had low fluid levels.”
White added that checking the fluids on your vehicle “is a small task with major benefits for your wallet.”
Keeping Old Air Filters
Just like people, cars need to breathe and they do so with the assistance of air filters. These filters need to be replaced every so often with new ones in order to allow the flow of air into your vehicle. Hanging on to the same old ones year after year will cost you money in the long run.
“This air filter protects your engine from contaminants and serves as a first line of defense. A dirty filter hampers airflow, causing the engine to groan under strain and reducing performance,” White said.
According to White, “regular replacements are an inexpensive way to make sure your engine breathes easy and runs efficiently.”
Ignoring Dashboard Lights
When the engine light comes on across your dashboard, it’s usually not good news. What’s really bad news is continuing to ignore it or any other warning signal that your car might be trying to communicate to you.
Gutierrez offered the example of how the brake warning light “…alerts you to a problem with the brake system, such as low brake fluid levels or a brake pad that needs replacement. Ignoring this warning could compromise your braking ability, putting you and others at risk.”
“Warning lights do not complement your Christmas decorations,” White said. “They alert you of problems that require your immediate attention. Be it a check engine light or the brake warning light, swift action can make all the difference between minor adjustment and major repairs.”
Buying Cheap Parts
Labor rates will usually differ from shop to shop and mechanic to mechanic. But one thing you may have some control over is the cost of parts, which can range from high-quality to low-quality. You do not want to use the latter.
“Using low-quality, no-name-brand parts may look cheap upfront, but in most cases, they’re responsible for early breakdowns requiring further repairs,” White said. “Parts of good quality guarantee longevity and reliability –ingredients for a sound car-maintenance financial strategy.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Auto Experts: Here Are 7 Things That Waste Money That We’d Never Do to Our Cars
