According to Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle will have the most depreciation within the first three years of its existence. Due to this, most vehicle owners will have to maintain their cars. An effective way to do this would be to schedule routine car maintenance.
Your car's 5-year cost to own is a metric used to calculate how much the vehicle will incur from the day of purchase to five years after. It includes vehicle-related costs such as:
- Fuel (gas)
- Insurance
- Financing
- Repairs
- Maintenance
- State fees
- Depreciation
All these costs should be factored into the true cost of a car. When calculating how much your car costs you or how much you have spent on it in its lifetime, you will need to include all out-of-pocket expenses.
Routine car maintenance should be done periodically after the vehicle has attained a particular mileage or after a month. While your car doesn't need to undergo frequent maintenance, it is highly advisable to do so to prevent future losses.
Some of the items that would warrant routine maintenance include:
- New battery
- Brake pad replacement
- Oil change
- Tire rotation
- Windshield wiper replacement
Some of these services come complimentary so that your auto dealer allows you to bring in your vehicle for tire rotation a specific number of times or a period after purchase. Take advantage of these deals.
Imagine your car as a person. Traveling for such long distances without a boost, food in the human case, is downright unfair. You should not 'stress' your vehicle out to the point where it 'complains.'
As car enthusiasts say, 'Listen to your car.' Pay attention to new sounds from your engine, notice shifts in the driving experience, and check your dashboard for unusual signs. These are warning signs that you need to service your vehicle immediately.
The actual cost of routine car maintenance
The best way to quantify how much it would cost you to take your vehicle for routine maintenance would be to consider it from different perspectives, such as:
Mileage covered
Typically, routine maintenance starts at $0.09 per mile covered. Your vehicle has an odometer that measures the distance covered. You should automatically update the odometer's readings when the car is serviced. The new value that is displayed will increase with time and is what will be used for calculation.
For instance, if your car's mileage in a year is 20,000 miles, you pay approximately $1,800. Having these figures in mind is important for budgeting.
Make, build, and year of manufacture of the vehicle.
High-end vehicles will require synthetic oil, which costs more than regular oil. Multipoint inspection will depend on the type of car you are bringing in. Trucks and SUVs will have you cough out more to change tires. A BMW will cost about $17,800, while a Toyota will be $5,500.
All the above are examples of how the type of vehicle you own can and will affect the prices you pay for routine maintenance. Newer vehicles will require less maintenance than old ones. According to AAA, the yearly cost of maintaining a new car is $792.
Services covered
Oil change
Oil changes should be done every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Typical oil changes cost about $40. Older cars may require more oil changes. The average cost of routine maintenance here will ultimately depend on how often you use your vehicle.
You shouldn’t only change your vehicle's oil when a certain mileage or time passes. Oil changes are necessary to ensure the proper working of your car. Do them often.
New Battery
Your vehicle's battery is one of the most important parts. It's like the power behind the force, in a sense. So ensuring that it is always in great working order is vital. Replacement should be done every three to five years or before then, if possible.
A car's battery could be drained by leaving car lights on too long, not driving for long periods, or in extreme weather conditions. A new battery could cost anywhere between $60 and $200.
Windshield wiper replacement
You will often find the part of the vehicle that's least paid attention to causing the most stir. Drivers know this all too well. Driving with a broken windshield wiper could not only land you into traffic police trouble but could also be detrimental to your safety. Think about driving with a broken wiper when it is raining.
Replacing your broken wiper will cost about $85, and that's on the higher side. You can turn this into a fun DIY project and save more money.
Brake pad replacement
Perhaps the one thing drivers will fear most is having a brake problem. Not having the power to stop a vehicle is scary. You do not need to follow a timeline for this maintenance item. Or, if you do, ensure you are still doing routine checkups.
If you feel the slightest doubt about your vehicle's braking system, have it checked and replaced immediately. New brake pads will retail at $35 to $150. This is inclusive of all four wheels. The price could go up to $115 to $270 per axel, plus labor costs.
Drivers who use their cars more will mostly require this service more than those with less mileage. Careless drivers who brake too suddenly will likely have more braking problems.
Warning signs may include sharp screeching sounds while applying pressure on the brakes. Again, listen to your vehicle.
Tire replacement
Your car's tires should not be worn out. They could increase your stopping distance; this could be fatal, especially when it rains. Your tires should be replaced every six years, regardless of the mileage covered.
This may cost about $400 to $1,800, again depending on the make of the car and the quality of tires you want.
Other costs include:
- Engine air filter replacement: $20-$75
- Tire rotation: $20-$50
- Multipoint inspection: depends
- Coolant flush: $50-$155
- Transmission flush: $163-$242
The benefits of ensuring your vehicle is up to standard are numerous. In case you want to resell your car, maintaining it will ensure its price is up. Also, you will be safer on the roads with a well-maintained vehicle.
