Below are some of the standard maintenance items that you should consider. Perhaps this information can help you plan a maintenance budget.
(Please note that with all of the below items, the average cost is based on a nation-wide average. You may find prices to be slightly lower or higher depending on your region. And in addition, there are always certain extras or special circumstances that can result in a higher or lower price.)
Oil Change
Recommended Interval: Every 3,000 Miles or Three Months
Average Cost: $46
Perhaps the most iconic routine auto maintenance item is the oil change. Clean engine oil is essential to keeping your car running smoothly, and neglecting to change your oil can lead to engine problems like overheating that, in turn, leads to costly damage to your car.
It’s possible to change your car’s oil yourself if you’re so inclined, though the process is somewhat messy and time consuming. Given its low cost, bringing your car in to a service shop for an oil change is a reasonable alternative.
Tire Replacement
Average Interval: 50,000 Miles
Average Cost: $637 for Four Tires
The tires are your car’s only point of contact with the road, and bear the brunt of all the stopping and turning. Tires are made with sophisticated tread patterns that enhance traction and allow you to maneuver your car safely and reliably.
Over time, your tires wear down and are eventually no longer as safe or reliable. At that point, it’s necessary to replace your tires. Tire prices vary based on the type of vehicle you drive – If you have a truck or SUV, for example, expect to pay more for the right tires. There are also a wide range of tire options for differing driving conditions and related factors.
Brake Maintenance
Brake Pad Replacement
Typical Interval: 25,000 to 50,000 Miles
Average Cost: $150
Brake Fluid Flush
Recommended Interval: Every 2 Years
Average Cost: $96
One of the hardest working system in your vehicle is the braking system. All that friction and heat generated by bringing over 3,000 pounds of car to a halt over and over takes its toll. There are a number of areas of the braking system that can require maintenance, and it’s important to stay up on all of them.
The two most common items of brake maintenance are replacing brake pads and getting a brake fluid flush. If you service your brakes regularly, you will greatly extend the life of parts like calipers and rotors. Repairs to other parts of the brake system tend to be far more expensive than replacing brake pads or flushing the fluid, so it pays to be attentive to routine maintenance.
Tire Rotation
Recommended Interval: 3,000 to 5,000 Miles
Average Cost: $30
The front and rear axles of your vehicle each support a different weight load. As a result, over time the front and rear tires wear at different levels. If left unchecked, driving on unevenly worn tires can cause issues with your car’s suspension and can also be less safe.
Having regular tire rotations keeps all four of your tires in roughly the same shape, which has two benefits. Number one, you avoid suspension issues and have a safer and more responsive vehicle. Number two, your tires last longer and you avoid having to replace them as often.
Wheel Alignment
Recommended Interval: Every 2 Years and When Getting New Tires
Average Cost: $65
The wheels on your car are set to very specific angles so that they roll freely and correctly. Having properly aligned wheels is important because misaligned wheels will lead to significant uneven tire wear and can cause problems with your suspension components.
The biggest culprit in a vehicle’s wheels losing proper alignment is any kind of sudden impact. This can be anything from hitting a pothole to bumping into a curb or other stationary object to getting into a car accident. Not all impacts have the same effect on wheel alignment. A massive impact can throw alignment way out of whack instantly. With smaller impacts, the effect is gradual and cumulative.
It’s a good idea to have a wheel alignment every time you install new tires to make sure your wheel system is optimized, and to do follow up maintenance having the wheels aligned every few years.
Wiper Blades
Recommended Interval: Before the Start of Each Winter Season
Average Cost: $35
You rely on your wiper blades when traveling in harsh weather conditions. It’s important to make sure your wiper blades are working properly when you need them. The rubber in your blades wears out and also dries out from summer heat. It’s a good idea to check and replace your wiper blades before bad weather starts.
Heating and Cooling System Inspection
Recommended Interval: At the Start of Each Summer or Winter Season
Average Cost: $75
Traveling in harsh conditions, whether it be heat or cold, is bearable only because of the creature comforts of your car’s AC and heating systems. Before the appropriate season, it’s a good idea to get the system you’ll be relying on checked to make sure everything is in good shape. You’re going to be using your AC or heat on a regular basis, depending on the particular season, and you want to make sure it’s not going to fail when you need it most.
Lim’s Auto Body is a full service auto body and mechanical repair shop locally owned and operated in Largo, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.limsautobody.com or call (727) 422-3232.
of the time spend is doing the routine maintenance things that make sense to do while you are at it.