The Top 5 Costliest Car Mistakes That You're Too Smart To Make

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Everyone has heard complaints from friends and co-workers about how their car is a “money pit.”  What many people don’t realize is that lots of costly repairs can be avoided simply by being attentive to your car’s maintenance needs. Here are 5 costly car ownership mistakes:

1) Not changing your timing belt – Many cars use a timing belt (as opposed to a timing chain) which needs to be replaced after a certain mileage. This mileage may vary depending on the vehicle but is typically around 60,000 miles. If your timing belt were to break or jump off the gears, this could spell disaster for your engine as the valves of one or more cylinders would smash into the pistons due to the “timing” being off. A repair like this would involve rebuilding or replacing your car’s engine. Check your car owner’s manual for the recommended interval for changing your timing belt to avoid a potentially disastrous repair bill. 

2) Neglecting to replace your air filter - If you want to know what driving around with a clogged-up air filter will do to the performance of your vehicle, just try running around your neighborhood with a scarf wrapped around your face. Neglecting to change your air filter will affect your car’s performance and cost you money in the long-run since it’s the air filter’s job to make sure the air used by your engine is free from dirt and other particles that don’t belong in engines. Check your car owner’s manual to see how often a replacement is recommended, but also keep an eye on the filter itself. If it’s covered in grime then it might be time to replace it. Similarly, if you live in an area where there are a lot of dirt roads and debris around, you’ll probably have to change it more often.

3) Ignoring safety recalls – Automakers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will issue a recall for a vehicle if there is a problem that is deemed serious enough to do so. These can range from major safety issues such as an accelerator that gets stuck to minor cosmetic issues like peeling paint. Essentially, the automaker is willing to fix the issue at their expense. Ignore recalls at your own cost, and more importantly, at your own risk. Most recalls are broadcast on the news, or through an automaker’s website. If you spend money for repairs on an issue that hasn’t been subject to a recall, make sure to save all of your paperwork in case there is such a recall in the future so that you can be reimbursed for the money spent. 

4) Neglecting your tires – In the movie Forrest Gump, Lieutenant Dan is obsessed with his soldier’s feet and shoes. You should try to be as diligent in minding your car’s tires, which literally keep your car on the road. Make sure your tires have a good amount of tread left and don’t wait until they’re completely bald to replace them as you risk dangerous blowouts or sliding accidents in poor weather. Even if there is lots of tread left, be mindful of how old the tires are as rubber deteriorates over time. Check your tire pressure regularly and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure numbers, which are listed in the owner’s manual and oftentimes on the frame inside your driver’s side door. Don’t forget to do tire rotations and wheel alignments as necessary. 

5) Ignoring warning lights – Ignore your warning lights and sensors at your own risk. Yes, sometimes that oil change light comes on earlier than you’d like, and other times the check engine light may be on due to a malfunction, but if you plan on keeping your car and your money, don’t risk it. Use your owner’s manual to identify what the alert light is trying to tell you and follow the instructions. At the very least you’ll know what the problem is. Your car is trying to tell you something, and since it gets you around every day, you should listen.