If your immediate reaction to the “check engine” light is, “I’ll just wait it out and hope it goes away,” you’re not alone – it’s far from that. According to a Kelley Blue Book survey, about 25 percent of drivers ignore the check engine light. Another study by Reviews.com found that only 36.1% pick up their car within the first week of starting it. It’s not hard to see why – the thought of shelling out money for repairs (and the inconvenience of losing your car for a while if the problem is serious) can be a punch in the gut. That’s where today’s blog comes in handy. Understanding the average cost of car repairs and how much it costs to budget for car maintenance can help you take care of your car without breaking your wallet.
How much should I budget for car maintenance per year?
According to the American Automobile Association, your car maintenance budget should be about $50 a month ($600 a year). However, because of rising inflation, you may be inclined to set aside about $700 a year (about $60 a month) for car maintenance.
Always keep receipts every time you do work at an auto repair shop. At the end of the year, calculate your annual expenses and divide them by 12 – this should help you more accurately estimate the average cost of repairing your car.
While saving about $600 to $700 per year for unexpected car repairs or maintenance is a good starting point, the amount you “should” allocate to car maintenance also depends on the make and model of your car. For example, an older car may have higher repair costs than a newer car. Similarly, a car that requires special components may cost more than one with a simpler design.
Knowing the average cost of car repairs for different types of maintenance can help you budget more efficiently. Let’s look at a few examples of car repairs you should be prepared for.
Get an oil change: every 3,000 miles ($35 to $125)
Approximately every six months or every 3,000 miles you drive, you will need an oil change. The average oil change can cost anywhere from $35 to $125, depending on the type of oil your car uses.
If your car uses synthetic oil, oil changes will cost significantly more, but you’ll also need oil changes much less frequently – about every 7,500 to 15,000 miles – so it evens out.
You’ll also want to change your oil filter every other time you change your oil. Changing the oil filter usually costs about the same as changing the oil.
At the end of the year, calculate your yearly expenses and divide them into 12 – this will help you to estimate the average cost of your car repair more accurately.
Change wiper blades: every 6 to 12 months ($23 to $38)
Many people are content to let their wiper blades disintegrate into uselessness before replacing them, thereby making driving in bad weather more dangerous.
Check your wiper blades every six months or so. If they look worse worn or “dangling” against the windshield when you use them, it may be time to replace them. Replacing your wiper blades is fairly easy, but if you pay a mechanic, you can expect to pay anywhere from $23 to $38.
If you live in a place with bad winter weather, you may want to install winter wiper blades before the snow starts to hit.
Rotate Your Tires: Every 5,000 Miles
Shifting your tires helps balance their wear and tear. The average driver in the United States drives about 12,500 miles a year, so you may have to change your tires a couple of times a year if you want them to last.
Of course, the rate of wear on your tires depends on the type of car you have and what kind of tires you have. If you also change your tires depending on the season (using winter tires in the winter and summer tires in the summer), you may also need to change them less frequently.
Replace Your Brake Pads: Every 10,000-20,000 Miles
Considering the distance the average American driver travels each year, the need to replace brake pads every year or year and a half is not out of the question. The average brake pad replacement will cost you about $150 per axle, for a total of $300.
If your brakes are making squealing noises, they are probably wearing out and you should schedule an inspection. Alternatively, if you hear squealing, make an appointment as soon as possible – “squealing” sounds usually indicate that the lining is about to wear out. If your brakes seem “soft” or unresponsive, that’s another sign that you want attention.
How often should I have my car serviced?
Car maintenance is a lot like dental care – people dread it, and it can cost a lot of money if something goes wrong, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. On that note, you want to see your mechanic about as often as you see your dentist. Take your car to general checks twice a year if you want to be safe, or at least once a year.
Ask your mechanic to check fluid levels, tire pressure, and general components. Different fluids use up at different rates, so keeping them topped up is not a bad idea.
How much you should budget for car maintenance – and the average cost of car repairs – can vary greatly from person to person. Hopefully, this blog will help you budget more accurately for car maintenance.
Expensive (& Fortunately, Less Common) Car Repairs
If you constantly maintain your car and take good care of it, you (hopefully) can avoid serious car repairs. However, accidents happen and parts wear out.
– Wear and tear. Let’s run through a quick list of some of the more unusual (and expensive) types of car repairs:
– Alternator replacement ($500 to $1,000). You’ll need to replace the alternator every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, watch for engine stoppages and electrical problems such as failing or dimmed lights.
– Catalytic converter replacement ($1,000-$1,500). Catalytic converters are one of the most commonly stolen parts of a car, and replacing them can cost a significant amount of money. If you suddenly notice that your car is making an exceptionally loud noise, emitting smoke and a sulfurous smell, and running worse, check the converter.
– Replace the cylinder head gasket ($2,000). No one wants to blow a gasket. Look out for engine overheating, white smoke coming out of the oil tank, and/or engine knocking.
– Suspension Replacement ($2,500-$3500). If your car keeps bouncing after hitting a bump, “flopping” when braking, or your steering in general is becoming less predictable, it’s time to check the suspension.
– Airbag replacement ($2,500 to $4,000). Airbag failure is difficult to diagnose. Watch for a recall from your car’s manufacturer, or the car is “sagging” on one side. The airbag indicator on the dashboard should also light up if the airbag becomes unusable.
– Transmission Replacement ($4,000 to $5,000). If your car doesn’t shift smoothly, makes a noise in neutral, slows, rattles or shakes while driving, or you smell burning, check the transmission.
– Engine replacement ($7,000 to $10,000). Most engine problems are pretty obvious, but watch (and ear and nose) for loss of power, “knocking” from the engine compartment, uneven idle, and fluid leaks.
Hopefully you’ll never have to pay for any of these repairs, but if you do, knowing how much you may have to shell out will help you decide whether it’s worth trying to save your current car.
Replace Your Battery: Every 4-6 Years
Battery replacement costs can vary widely based on the type of car you own. As a general rule, you’ll probably need to replace it every four to six years. However, if you go for long periods of time without driving your car, your battery may die faster.
