Spending money on vehicle maintenance is like flossing our teeth. A little bit of unpleasantness on a regular basis can ward off a whole lot of unpleasantness down the road. According to a Bankrate.com article, $1,000 of vehicle maintenance can prevent $8,000 of repairs. The article highlighted the need for regular oil changes, tire rotations (and air pressure checks), and regularly scheduled replacement of timing belts, brake pads, PCV valves, spark plugs, and filters.
One of the best ways to minimize the cost of maintenance is to choose the right car. I recently heard a BMW owner talk about spending $400 to replace his car’s battery. Ouch! To investigate what a vehicle is likely to cost in maintenance and other expenses, use the True Cost to Own calculator on Edmunds.com.
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