![]() ![]() Divide this number by 12 to get your average monthly car maintenance expense. Next, add all of the maintenance costs together to get the total amount you spent on car maintenance last year. ![]() To start, collect all of your car maintenance records from at least the last year-repairs, oil changes, tires, etc.-to see how much you spent on maintenance last year. That way you can see what has recently been replaced or fixed and get an idea of what services you might need soon. Gather receipts and maintenance records.Īn ideal budget starts with studying your car’s maintenance history and basing this year’s budget on the previous years’ expenses. Putting one together and sticking to it is the hard part! Here are three actionable steps for determining how much to budget for car maintenance. Steps to Creating a Car Maintenance Budgetĭeciding that you need a budget is easy. Driving behavior: How many miles do you put on your car each year? Are you an aggressive driver? Your driving behavior influences the frequency that your car requires maintenance.Car age: Things are more likely to go awry in older cars as their parts wear out.Condition: Has your car been well taken care of? Or has it had a rough life?.Make and model: Owners of luxury vehicles and SUVs usually spend more on maintenance costs.However, the amount you need to save each month is dependent on a few factors, including: We recommend setting aside at least $100 per month that is marked specifically for car maintenance (this does not include fuel, insurance, etc.). It’s important to remember that maintenance costs for a car are periodic expenses, as your car will get serviced every few months. Read: The Car Maintenance Checklist Every Driver Needs How Much Money Should I Budget for Car Maintenance Each Month?ĭepending on the age, make, and model of your car, maintenance costs will vary. Plus, you’ll have money saved up for unexpected, expensive repairs! Having a car maintenance budget in place will help you plan ahead for these scheduled maintenance items. that will need to be replaced periodically. It will include other items like spark plugs, timing belts, transmission fluid, etc. We recommend that you always follow your vehicle’s suggested maintenance schedule, which can be found in your owner’s manual. Here’s a list of the most common maintenance items and how often they’re needed: This could lead to more serious mechanical issues that could have been avoided with regular upkeep and preventative car maintenance.Ĭar maintenance items typically need to be done based on mileage, not time. If you don’t have a car maintenance budget set up, it’s easy to neglect your vehicle’s basic maintenance needs. Why You Should Have a Budget for Car Maintenance Avoid the stress of going into debt by simply using a car maintenance budget. And if you don’t have a solid car maintenance budget, you could be scrounging for cash to pay for surprise repairs or even just to keep up with regular car maintenance.Īccording to the AAA, one-third of drivers in the United States cannot afford an unexpected car repair. Life can throw a curveball once in a while. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |