Top Ten Ways to keep your car out of the repair shop

With the economy in a bunch and people scrambling to keep hold of their jobs, house, personal property ect. Keeping more money in your pocket is a good thing.   As of 1998:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey, out of every dollar American households spend annually, almost 18 cents go to getting around in their communities. Only shelter eats up a larger chunk of expenditures (19¢), with food a distant third place (13.7¢).
This takes in to account a lot of factors that include your automotive repair bill, so saving every penny you can will really make a difference in your total income. We spent a lot on our cars to keep them in good repair.

Here are my "Top Ten Ways" to keep your car out of the repair shop.

1. Do your required maintenance:  Be diligent and take care of your car and it will be better for your pocketbook in the long run.  Maintenance can be expensive, but it will save you money.
2. Lube, Oil and Filter: Get your oil changed on or before you should. Good oil is better than cheap oil. I buy economy oil from my distributor but I know who manufactures it.  Just because it is a name brand doesn't make it good; do your research.
3. Change your coolant:  Regular cooling system maintenance is key to a healthy motor. Don't be fooled by claims of coolant lasting 100K.  Change it every 20-30K and save money.  (Don't mix coolants!) Overheat your engine and you could find yourself with a hefty repair bill of $3,000 or more.
4. Transmission Service:  Change your transmission fluid and  filter according to the service manual (or sooner) whether it is a automatic or standard transmission.
5. Don't let your car run out of gas:   Newer cars have electric fuel pumps in the gas tank. These pumps are cooled and lubricated via the fuel running through them. If you run the car out of gas this pump can be damaged and you may have to prime the injector rail to get it to run again.
6. Brakes:  It's recommended that you change your brake lining and pads every 20-30K miles.  It can be more expensive if you don't have them inspected and serviced as recommended.  If the brakes start to make noise before they are serviced, chances are damage has already occurred that will add to the repair expense.  Also, have your service man do a brake flush on the brake system.  I can't tell you how many cars come through the shop that have dirty brake fluid in the brake system. Changing it will save on parts replaced and save you money.
7. Service Lights: Service lights aren't just there to look pretty.  They warn of danger or possible failure of important parts of your car.  If a light comes on you should know why and what it means; check your owners manual.  Get to your mechanic and have them look at it ASAP.
8. Timing Belts : Timing belts are another part that is better to replace sooner than later. No timing belt should go past 100K without being replaced; some sooner than that.  Refer to your service manual or repair shop for the exact replacement mileage requirement.
9. 30-60-90K Service:  Most 30-60-90-K service is preventative service and maintenance that should be performed when it is required, however this kind of service is a big money maker in a lot of repair shops. So having a mechanic you trust is key.
10. Rattles and Grinds: If your car is making a funny noise have it checked out! It may be nothing or it could be a disaster ready to happen.

Does it sound like I'm repeating myself a lot? maintenance,  maintenance, maintenance. Yeah pretty much I am. If you keep your car maintained and do the service that is recommended you will save in the long run. I know it's hard for me to do it also,  but in the 31+ years I have been in the auto repair biz the customers that spent more now spend less later! I've seen it over and over!
Remember life is a journey not a destination. How will you ride?
Happy motoring!
David Avery
http://www.intermountainradiator.com