The Real Costs of Not Maintaining your Car
Owning a car can get pretty expensive pretty quickly. Of course, there are the regular monthly costs, such as your financing or lease payment and car insurance. But then there are also additional monthly costs, some of which you can predict and budget for (like gas or oil changes), but some of which you can’t, like non-routine maintenance or “extras,” like snow tires, cleanings, et cetera.
When all of these costs add up, paying for everything you need for your car can sometimes seem a little overwhelming, and you may in fact choose to try and cut some of your costs by doing less non-routine maintenance, or going longer between routine maintenance checks. The problem is that doing this can actually cost you more money in the long run.
Cars that have not been properly maintained are more likely to get into an accident. In fact, according to a study by Car Care Council, accidents resulting from unperformed vehicle maintenance cost an average of $2 billion dollars per year. Suddenly, that oil change doesn’t seem quite so expensive, does it?
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly “skipped” vehicle maintenance procedures and compare their cost with the cost of skipping them.
Oil changes
Changing your oil helps to keep your engine clean and lubricated, which enables it to run better. Think of it as healthy blood for your car’s heart (the engine). Most experts recommend changing your oil every 5,000 km or every 3 months.
The real deal:Skipping on oil changes can mean that you may need to replace your car’s engine, which comes at a price tag of approximately $4,000. On the other hand, regular oil changes will cost you approximately $120 per year.
Tire maintenance
Tire maintenance covers everything from having your tires rotated (wherein the tires are moved from the front to the rear or vice versa, so the tread wears equally), to checking the air pressure and having the tires balanced.
The real deal:You should get your tires rotated at least every 10,000 to 12,000 km. This will cost you approximately $50 each time but will save you from having to replace your tires sooner (at a cost of $350 to $700).
Timing belt replacement
The timing belt controls camshafts in your engine, making sure that they open and close at the proper time to ensure your car runs smoothly. A failed timing belt will mean that your car’s engine will cut off, and the car will slow until it stops.
The real deal:Most timing belts need to be replaced at around the 120,000 km mark, but this is something you should discuss with your mechanic. Replacing a timing belt will cost you approximately $600 versus the $2500 it will cost you if the timing belt goes and damages the engine.
Brake inspections
You should have your brakes inspected at least once a year. Your mechanic will look at the pads and shoes. Having them checked annually will allow your mechanic to notice signs of wear and replace them before your brakes fail.
The real deal: Having your brake pads or shoes replaced will cost you approximately $150 to $375. By contrast, having to replace the rotors or drums because your pads or shoes are too worn will cost you $30 to $600.
PCV valve replacements
The PCV valves regulate your car’s crankcase pressure and ventilate gases that come through the engine. This ensures your car’s engine can run smoothly, without sludge buildup or oil leaks.
The real deal:You should have your PCV valves checked and cleaned at around the 32,000 km mark. Having these valves replaced will cost you approximately $25. However, if you ignore this, you may need a new valve cover, or even a new engine seal, which could cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000.
Changing plugs and filters
As your car ages, you will be required to pass emissions tests in order to keep your car on the road. One of the best ways to ensure that you pass these tests is by making sure your car’s engine is clean, which can be maintained by making sure you have replaced your car’s valves and sparkplugs.
The real deal:It will cost you approximately $100 to replace your car’s valves and sparkplugs. Meanwhile, if you fail emissions testing, you may need to pay $335 to $700 to bring your car up to code, not to mention the time of having your car off the road.
When we add it all up, all of these routine maintenance procedures will cost you approximately $1,000, whereas the cost of repairs, etc., for not keeping up with this maintenance is well over $8,000. While not doing this maintenance may save you a few bucks today, it’s certainly not worth it in the long run!