When To Do Car Checkups To Save Money in the Future
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Think you should give your car a thorough check this month? Auto expert Chris Pyle from JustAnswer has a surprising take on new year vehicle maintenance — and it could end up saving you money.
In fact, according to Pyle, certain times of the year are better than others for doing car checkups — and doing so could save you money in the future.
Also see five affordable car brands that will last over 10 years with proper maintenance.
Timing Is Everything
Pyle does not recommend doing car checkups during the winter. “You should not do this at the end of the year when it is freezing cold and Christmas,” Pyle said. Nor should you do it first thing in the new year.
Instead of rushing a winter inspection, he suggested a different approach.
“I suggest a thorough check over be done in the spring and fall,” Pyle said. His reasoning? You’ll have better weather for inspections and likely more financial flexibility.
As he explained, this timing helps “prepare your car for the brutal summer and brutal winter.” In fact, according to AAA, more vehicle breakdowns tend to happen when there’s a heat wave, and proper maintenance is crucial to avoid those problems. And winter can bring its own set of problems. “Winter can really exacerbate any problem your car is having,” per Enrique Sanders, car care district director at AAA.
So planning your car checkups at the right times can help you avoid serious issues that could arise in the summer and winter, along with their costly repairs, saving you money in the long run.
Ultimately, Pyle recommended keeping up with normal maintenance as needed but saving those detailed inspections for more temperate seasons when you can really see what’s going on under the hood.
Professional vs. DIY
Now that you’ve determined the best time to do car checkups to save money, you’ll also want to consider whether you want to do it yourself or call in a professional.
“You can do this through a checklist on your own if you have those skills or have a shop do it for a small fee during an oil change or tire rotation,” Pyle said.
Either way, the goal is spotting potential issues before they become expensive emergencies. You should look for anything “loose, not working, wearing out or leaking,” Pyle said.
This proactive approach gives you “time to save for a big-ticket repair that may be found,” Pyle said.
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