10 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money

Sep 9, 2022

There are many ways to maintain your car’s health and to save your money in the long run. Today, we are presenting you with 10 ways to take care of your car in times of high inflation and expensive gas prices.

Oil Changes
Drivers often forget to get their oil changed and unfortunately, that can be detrimental to your vehicle. Oil issues can be an expensive repair, so to avoid any oil issues keep in mind that after the oil change you get, from that day, you have 6,000 miles before you need to get your oil changed again. For all Kia vehicles, Kia recommends full synthetic oil changes.
Caring for Your Battery
Caring for your battery is an excellent way to preserve your vehicle’s battery life. One way you can care for your vehicle’s battery is by cleaning the battery! All you need is a pair of gloves, a stainless-steel wire brush and a microfiber cloth. You should be cleaning your vehicle’s battery because it helps remove corrosion that builds up on the vehicle; corrosion can lead to a bad connection on the battery post that can prevent your car from starting and other problems can occur as well. Cleaning the battery will help prolong your battery’s life!
Do You Have a Spare Tire?
Always be prepared for any bump in the road! Ensuring you have a spare tire in your trunk is very important and can save you a tow! With a spare tire, make sure that the spare tire is always inflated and ready to use. Don’t forget your spare tire kit, which has all the tools you would need to change the tire yourself. If your vehicle doesn’t have a spare tire, consider investing in one. Towing or repairs can be more costly than replacing the tire yourself.
Replace Brake Pads
Have you heard any weird sounds coming from your brakes? Or what about if you press the brake and push harder than before to reduce your speed? If you have, this is something to tend to immediately. Thus, to combat this from happening in the first place, we suggest checking your brakes and brake fluid every time you get your oil changed. If your brake fluid presents itself in the form of dark liquid, you must change your brake system sooner than later!
Replace Air Filter
Air filters in cars are used to prevent debris, dirt, and dust from entering your engine. For example, if these various materials enter your engine, it can cause corroding or for your engine to deteriorate. Because of the consequences, this is a serious issue that needs to be tended to in order to keep your car in great shape, especially in various and extreme weather conditions.
Get New Windshield Wipers
If you do not have good windshield wipers, you should consider getting new ones. It is important that your windshield wipers can handle heavy rains, the falling of leaves, and other elemental conditions. We suggest checking your wipers at the change of every season so that they are ready for changes in weather and terrain. In some states, it is illegal to have lousy windshield wipers, as it is an evident safety concern. If you cannot correctly wipe off rain and snow, you will not be able to see – putting you at risk for a collision.
Get Your Tires Rotated
The life of your tires can be significantly increased when you take the time to rotate them regularly. Since all four of your tires usually wear on the outside, it is necessary to make sure they are rotated regularly. Wear on your tires can lead to slipping and even causing wear and tear that could eventually lead to a flat tire. The cost of replacing a single tire, never mind all four, can be extremely expensive. Therefore, rotating your tires can save you about $400 to $1,200 or more, just by rotating your tires. Lastly, we suggest rotating them every 6,000 to 7,000 miles.
Check Your Vehicle’s Coolant
Coolants affect your vehicle’s heater, air conditioning system, radiator, and water pump. Coolant helps cool the engine. A hot engine will overheat, and your entire engine could be damaged. Furthermore, when your engine overheats, it’s shut off entirely, and you’ll be stuck on the side of the road – or pay for an expensive tow. Typically, we suggest checking your coolant at least twice a year before warm weather begins or when the winter months are approaching.
Check the Suspension System
The Suspension System of your car includes the shocks, springs, and struts. Serving as one of the most integral aspects of your car, it is important to check if your shocks need to be replaced. We check the shocks and full suspension system with oil changes.
Inspect Belts and Hoses

Lastly, we suggest inspecting your belts and hoses. Typically, worn-down belts will break and stop working altogether. Belts run to create power for several different components in the engine. As for hoses, if you have a radiator hose that has come off or has a hole, it could cause your engine to overheat and not run at all. We suggest replacing your belt every 60,000 miles or so. Thereby recommending that you change your hoses every four years or if there are signs of wear and tear.

With recently increased living costs, inflation, and other economic hardships, taking care of your car can be a fantastic way to save money. Vehicle maintenance is also essential as it keeps drivers and passengers safer. Mitigate the risks of spending extra money or getting stranded, and check up on your car today. Check out our website for more helpful tips and tricks to best maintain your car. Keep your vehicle in great shape… The Nutley Kia way! Get started today.