Do you have any genuine tricks for keeping/maintaining a car that are frugal?
Could be anything from getting a deal on a car wash, or keeping the interior nice, or keeping the engine or tires or anything really in good order.
Also, are there any things you used to be able to do frugally with your car which has changed to be more expensive–maybe due to auto manufacturers changing how cars are designed?
(I’m asking this so if something used to be frugal but isn’t now, people speak up about it.)
You’ve got to get the oil changed. Might not feel frugal, but guaranteed it leads to problems down the road.
Anymore, it’s just not hardly worth changing your own oil. Avoid thinking that’s frugal unless you’ve got all the equipment.
Is there an advantage/disadvantage going to a chain oil change place vs. a dealer or other mechanic?
Or basically it’s just easier now to go to to anyone who has the right tools and the exact place doesn’t matter?
Don’t go to a dealer. It will be more expensive. That being said, you don’t really need many tools to do an oil change except a ratchet - which most people already have if they’re handy at all, and an oil filter wrench - I got mine for like $5 at an auto parts store. Wait for a sale on a bulk amount of oil that fits your car and just keep it in the garage or elsewhere.
I’m not super handy, but I’ve generally been able to save $10-$20 on each change over the years when I still drove. Plus the time component once you get the hang of it. I could change mine in about 20 minutes in my driveway.
Yeah I don’t know about this one. I used to change my own oil also but it got harder and harder to find supplies got less than the gist of having someone do it. I just don’t find it worth the time anymore.
For example, I typically get the cabin or air filter changed for exactly what it would cost me to buy the filter. Why waste my time for nothing?
I stopped changing my own filters when I not only couldn’t save money, but my Civic air filters were only available from a Honda dealer. No saving money, just extra hassle
You can do your own oil changes if you’ve got the time and tools. If not that, I’d find a local mechanic that you trust and get all your work done there.
Chain quick oil places usually get things right. But they don’t have the tools or skills to fix things if they mess something up. They also tend to employ bottom of the barrel people who tend to not care about their work.
I have a K&N air filter. Much cheaper than re-buying paper air filters.
I also do my own oil changes. This is a HUGE savings and I use better oil/filter than most shops ever would (Mobil 1).
In terms of performance, a K&N is the way to go, but if you’re looking for reliability, the regular old paper filters are better for your engine. They’re a much finer filter medium and catch a lot more dirt than a K&N will. Also the price difference is negligible, a paper filter is usually around 15-20, while a K&N is closer to $50 or $60 plus the future $30 or so for a recharge kit to clean and re-oil it.
When it comes to oil changes however you’ve definitely got the right idea, cheaper with better oil and better filters. Also I do know that K&N uses a finer mesh in their oil filters than most compettitiors, so its worth it there.
It used to be economical to do my own brake pad changes, but since about 2015 getting the lines bled correctly after (on an American car) requires a special computer that isn’t available to the public.
Let’s all support better “right to repair” laws.
Edit: Don’t let my comment keep you from doing your own brake pads. As pointed out - a brake line bleed isn’t typically needed when just doing brake pads.
Never drive in a hurry. Seriously what’s the rush? Don’t ever crash and you’ll save a ton of money.