The Truth About Car Repair Costs, How Much Should You Be Paying?

Repairing your car, truck, suv, or van, is a necessity. And, unfortunately, things break. So, the bottom line is at some point in time, unless you are a mechanic or body man, you are going to have to pay to have your vehicle repaired.


There are some things you can do to keep those costs down. For starters, when it comes to mechanical items, the obvious thing is to keep your vehicle maintained. I can't preach enough about how important it is to keep you car in good mechanical health. Things like changing the oil, maintaining your brakes and keeping the engine tuned up are just no brainers in this economy.


Let's look at brakes for starters. Brake pads wear out. They are manufactured to do this. They are also necessary. Ask anyone who has abruptly met the owner of the vehicle in front of them because they didn't pay attention to the "squeak" that was coming from the brake pads. A change of those pads might very well have saved them the cost of the accident, the cost of the ticket, the cost of a lawyer, if one was necessary, and the list goes on and on. AFTER the accident is too late! Brake pads are not expensive. In fact, if you change them regularly, you can purchase a set of good brake pads from a parts supplier like Advance Auto Parts, that has a "lifetime warranty"! Yup, simply put, you can buy ONE SET OF BRAKE PADS and NEVER PAY FOR ANOTHER SET AGAIN! EVER! Now, you will have to pay for the labor to install them, but, the next thing we're going to talk about here is how to save on that cost too.





Many people wait till their vehicle is down and then start searching the Internet for places to fix it. They make 20 phone calls, tell their story 20 times and come up with the best price and then drive to the "winning" shop and get the repair work done. I suppose this might work for some people, but, why go thru all that work when you can save yourself the phone time AND have your vehicle repaired cost effectively by choosing a shop BEFORE you need the work done.







When you are putting together your preventive maintenance items is the time to choose your shop. NOT when your vehicle is down on the side of the road and you're in a panic to find someone to fix it. Having a car repair shop phone number ready to call is the way to go. Most shops welcome your maintenance business. If you consistently go to the same shop to have your work done, you'll build a relationship with the shop. They cherish your business and will go the extra nine yards to make sure they take care of their "regular" customers. Many shops will even give a discount to those that are regulars. When you're on the side of the road and your car is broken down or in an accident, it's comforting to know that the repair guy knows you and will go out of his way to ensure that you are taken care of right away.


So, let's get back to how to build that relationship. Start by checking out the shops closest to you. Talk to the owner. Find out if they have a preventive maintenance plan that you can purchase. If not, put together a list of the items you want to have completed and see if you can get a "deal" on having all the services provided at the same time. Most shops will work with you on this. Find the best price at a shop you are comfortable with and stay with them. After going there a few times and showing your loyalty, the rest will follow.

Putting together your list of maintenance items really depends on the type of vehicle you're dealing with. Check your owner's manual for manufacturer's suggested time frames on the usual items like changing your oil, tuning up the vehicle, belt replacement, and so on. If your manual doesn't list these items, call a dealer and find out the recommended times.


If your vehicle hasn't been maintained for some time, you'll want to start with the obvious. Change the oil. If you want to save yourself some gas money, add a tune up to the list. Changing the plugs and wires will gain you some added mileage and ensure that your engine is running smoothly and efficiently. Most cars will go a year on a tune up with no problem. The next thing to put on the list is brakes. Have them checked at first. Have the mechanic tell you what kind of mileage he thinks are left on your pads and make a decision as to whether you should change them now or wait. Keeping these items together is important too, so, if the pads are worn at all, it's a good idea to have them done the first time to get everything done at one time and start your maintenance routine properly. Choose a good quality brake pad with a lifetime warranty and keep the receipt. When the pads wear down, go back to your supplier and simply get a new set. It's a one time fee that will save you a ton of money over the course of your vehicle's lifetime.


Have your mechanic check the belts. Belts are one thing that will definitely put your vehicle on the side of the road if they break, so keeping them in good condition is one of the most important aspects of a good preventive maintenance plan. If you have a serpentine belt, and most newer vehicle's do, it is well worth the cost of the belt to replace it. That one belt controls many items in your vehicle including the water pump and power steering pump. To get a good start on your maintenance program, include replacing this belt.


Lastly, have your hoses and any pulleys checked for wear. Replace any worn hoses or noisy bearings and pulleys.


The first time you have your preventive maintenance work done should include everything possible. This way, you can insure that you have covered all of the things that could come up and give you a good starting point to schedule the rest of your maintenance on. All of the items we have mentioned here include items surrounding or included with the systems that they are associated with. For instance, when changing the brake pads, your technician will get a good look at your suspension and alert you to anything you should be aware of there. When changing the serpentine, many of the components associated with that system will be checked at the same time, like the water pump and power steering pump and so on.


Now that you've gotten your vehicle maintained, the key is to keep it that way. You will have accomplished two things here. You can drive your vehicle worry free, knowing that the usual suspects are new and ready to keep your vehicle running. And 2., you have established a relationship with a shop that will serve you well for a long time to come.


Create a maintenance schedule and stick with it. The result will be worry free driving for you and your family and a vehicle that will run well and be worth more when it comes time to sell it. Both of which are well worth the cost of maintaining the second largest investment most of us own, second to our homes.


Happy motoring!


Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body
ldjautobody@yahoo.com
(813) 644-4497