Is Your Car Getting Old? 5 Repairs You Might Need to Start Budgeting For

If your car is on its last legs or just looking for some peace of mind concerning your vehicle, this blog post is for you! We'll help you identify 5 repairs needed to keep your car running well and avoid getting stranded by bad luck.

1. Brake Inspections

A good inspection will help you discover any issues with your brakes. Once you've discovered problems, you'll be able to plan repairs and budget how much it will cost. Brake inspection is crucial because you never know what might happen. 

A crash that totals your car costs significantly more than an inspection of your brakes, so it’s best to check up on your safety and your wallet.

2. Oil Changes

Maintaining your car properly is one of the most important things you can do. You can prevent issues by changing your oil at the recommended intervals. 

This will help you reduce the risk of oil burning, which can destroy your engine if left unchecked. If you wait too long between changes, your car won't run as well and might cause other problems. 

If you notice your oil getting thicker than normal, or have any other issues, then get a change sooner rather than later to avoid the potential for something worse. 

 Most auto shops will tell you roughly how often you should get your oil changed on the receipt or as a sticker on your windshield.

3. Tire Changes

Tire changes definitely help to prevent issues with your tires. Over time, they can lose tread and become smooth, which is when you need to replace them. 

If your tires can’t grip the road, driving becomes much riskier. Before getting tires replaced, you can always have them rotated instead. Tire rotation refers to changing which side of your car your tires sit on, as tires tend to wear down first on the side closest to the car. 

 So moving the left side tires to the right can extend their lifespan significantly, reducing the risks inherent in driving on old tires. 

 However, whenever you go in for automotive repair of any kind, be sure to listen to your mechanic's advice; they’ve got the best experience to say when rotating your tires isn’t enough and it’s time to replace them.

4. Coolant Changes

If your engine overheats while not driving it, you likely have a coolant leak somewhere. As the coolant is a mixture of water and anti-corrosion agents, leaks will cause corrosion problems on metal parts over time. 

When working correctly, your car's engine coolant circulates through the intercooler and radiator. When not working correctly, your car isn’t likely to get very far whenever you take it out. 

 If you smell anything strange or notice your car is getting overly warm, look at your engine to see if your coolant is leaking or empty.

5. Transmission

If your transmission is having problems, your car won’t be as easy to drive. When shifting gears, you might have trouble getting it into gear or feel clunkier than normal. 

When this happens, check to see if you have any dashboard lights indicating any issues, as often, car manufacturers have prepared for the more likely issues on your transmission. 

 Even if you don’t see any lights, it may be time for an inspection if you suspect your transmission might be struggling.

Repairing your car doesn't need to be as expensive as you think. With some simple maintenance and preventative care, you can avoid any major issues that are more costly to address. 

Make sure to schedule your car's maintenance service at least once a year, and take it in for a check-up if anything seems unusual.